California Woman to Plead Not Guilty in Son-in-Law's Killing
Her attorney cites alleged abuse by the victim as a focus of the defense.
The attorney for a Northern California woman, who is charged with her husband in the killing of their son-in-law, stated Thursday that she plans to plead not guilty. Curtis Briggs, a court-appointed attorney representing Shili Chen, said the defense will focus on alleged abuse perpetrated by the victim, Jonathan McKinsey.
Chen and her husband, Shouyong Zhang, both 77, appeared in court to request more time before entering formal pleas. They were charged Wednesday with murder after authorities allege they shot their son-in-law to death on Saturday in a public park. The killing occurred days before McKinsey and the couple’s daughter were scheduled for a hearing in a contentious divorce and custody case.
Briggs indicated that court documents suggest McKinsey was volatile and posed a danger to his family. "Court documents show Mr. McKinsey was extremely violent and dangerous to his family," he stated.
Jennie Otis, the public defender for Zhang, requested a medical evaluation for her client, though the specific reasons were not disclosed. Otis declined to comment further.
Both Chen and Zhang required Mandarin interpreters during their court appearance.
McKinsey, a 40-year-old gaming engineer for The New York Times, was killed in the parking lot of a sports complex in Dublin, California. According to a news release from Dublin Police Services, a police sergeant on patrol witnessed the incident as witnesses began calling 911 and pointing toward the couple in their vehicle, who were still near the scene. Police detained the couple as they attempted to leave the parking lot. A firearm was found in Chen’s possession. Prosecutors stated that Zhang admitted to shooting McKinsey during a subsequent interview, and another firearm found in the car was also linked to the crime. Surveillance video recovered by authorities appears to show both Chen and Zhang shooting the victim.
Court records reveal that McKinsey's killing took place amidst a contentious divorce with his wife, Candice Jang, and a custody dispute over their three young children. Petitions for restraining orders filed last year by both parties accused each other of physical, emotional, and psychological abuse spanning over a decade. McKinsey, who is transgender, alleged that both Jang and her parents engaged in verbal and physical abuse related to his gender transition years prior.
McKinsey was arrested last October and faced misdemeanor child abuse charges for allegedly striking their oldest son. Police reported he admitted to the act. Prosecutors also charged him with endangering their youngest child after deputies responded to the family’s home and found the 2-year-old alone. McKinsey pleaded not guilty to these charges, asserting in court documents that his wife had left the house without informing him that the child was asleep upstairs. He was released on the condition he complete 12 parenting classes. At the time of his death, McKinsey was out on bail and seeking to enter a mental health diversion program.
In October, Jang also obtained a domestic violence protection order against McKinsey. In her filing, Jang detailed alleged abuse, including an incident in 2010 where McKinsey reportedly fractured her upper back by causing her to hit a coffee table during an argument. She also reported calling the police in 2023 after McKinsey allegedly pushed their oldest son forcefully on the head. Jang further accused McKinsey of emotionally abusing her mother.