New York Times Executive Murdered in California; In-Laws Accused
Attorneys for the accused grandparents claim the victim had threatened his mother-in-law, including with a hit man, prior to the shooting.
A New York Times executive, identified as Jonathan McKinsey, 40, was fatally shot last month in a public park in Dublin, California. McKinsey, a father of three who was born female, was at the park for a scheduled child visitation amid a contentious divorce and custody battle with his estranged wife, Candice Jang.
McKinsey's mother-in-law, Shili Chen, 77, and father-in-law, Shouyong Zhang, 77, have been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting. Both have pleaded not guilty. They remain in custody without bail.
During a court appearance, an attorney for Chen suggested a motive, stating that Chen feared for her life and had been threatened by McKinsey on multiple occasions, including an alleged threat to hire a hit man. "My client trembles in fear when she hears Mr McKinsey’s name," said defense attorney Curtis Briggs. Briggs also characterized McKinsey as having an "extremely violent record."
Court documents reviewed by media outlets reveal a tumultuous relationship between McKinsey and his estranged wife. Both parties had previously accused the other of domestic violence and had obtained temporary restraining orders. In one 2023 police report, Jang accused McKinsey of slapping their son, leaving a handprint-shaped bruise. She also alleged McKinsey had been violent toward her in 2018, causing bruises to her wrist.
Allegations of tension surrounding McKinsey's gender transition also surfaced in court. McKinsey had previously alleged that his mother-in-law hurled transphobic insults at him and that his father-in-law punched him while he was recovering from a double mastectomy. However, Briggs, Chen's attorney, rejected these claims, asserting that McKinsey's in-laws had been accepting of his transition in 2010 and that his identity had no bearing on the case.
Briggs argued that the shooting was spontaneous and not premeditated, stating that neither Chen nor Zhang intended to harm McKinsey. He described them as "concerned grandparents who were afraid for their grandchildren's safety." The couple had reportedly begun carrying firearms in March and went to the park believing McKinsey was abusive and fearing for their grandchildren's well-being during the supervised visit. Court orders required McKinsey to have a social worker present during visits and to meet in public places.
Attorneys for Chen and Zhang are seeking their release from jail, citing the elderly couple's age, health concerns, and lack of prior criminal records. Zhang is reportedly showing signs of dementia.
Jang has not been charged with any crimes, though authorities executed a search warrant at her home on September 29. Chen and Zhang are scheduled for a bail hearing on November 4 and a preliminary hearing on November 23.