DUBLIN, CA — The attorney for Shili Chen, a Dublin woman charged with murdering her son-in-law, said that she plans to plead not guilty, according to The Associated Press.
Shili Chen and her husband Shouyong Zhang, both 77, appeared in court to ask the judge for more time before entering formal pleas, the AP said. Both Chen and Zhang were charged Wednesday with murder, along with several enhancements and special circumstance allegations, in connection with the death of their son-in-law Jonathan McKinsey, who was shot to death Saturday in a Dublin park. Their arraignment was initially scheduled for Wednesday morning.
Curtis Briggs, a court-appointed attorney assigned Thursday to Chen's defense, said that court documents "show Mr. McKinsey was extremely violent and dangerous to his family," according to the AP.
McKinsey, was embroiled in a contentious divorce and custody battle with the suspects' daughter, Candice Jang. Both Jang and McKinsey had filed petitions for restraining orders against one another, with each accusing the other of abuse involving themselves or their children. McKinsey was also facing misdemeanor child-abuse charges, which he had denied.
Jennie Otis, a public defender representing Zhang, asked the judge on Thursday to have her client medically evaluated, though she did not specify why, according to the AP. Otis declined to comment further.
Both Chen and Zhang are being held without bail at Santa Rita Jail.
Prosecutors allege that both Zhang and Chen intentionally killed Jonathan McKinsey, 40, by lying in wait and personally firing guns during the attack.
Police said that recovered surveillance video showed Chen and Zhang shooting McKinsey "in concert." Police also allege that Zhang admitted to shooting McKinsey in a later police interview, according to a probable cause declaration filed by Dublin police.
Police also said that Chen had a firearm in her possession when was detained shortly after the shooting. Investigators found a second firearm in the couple's car that Zhang admitted to using, police said. Chen invoked her Miranda rights and did not speak with investigators. .
If convicted as charged, Zhang and Chen face life in prison without the possibility of parole, according to the Alameda County District Attorney's Office.
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