Deceased/Not Found IL - Yingying Zhang, 26, Urbana, 9 June 2017 #10 *Still Missing*

[trunkizback]

They are relatives ? Or paid to say good things ?

To be truthful, I don't think I have a relative or friend that I could vouch for if they had done something like this.

 

[Raptors001]

To be truthful, I don't think I have a relative or friend that I could vouch for if they had done something like this.

Possible inmates... I would check those peoples background to see if they are credible.

 

[kittythehare]

this! Document 442 (441 appears to have disappeared, not sure why or what it contained)

In Limine – #442 in United States v. Christensen (C.D. Ill., 2:17-cr-20037) – CourtListener.com

hereby requests that this Court prohibit the defendant’s cross-examination of members of the victim’s family regarding plea discussions between the parties and a pending civil lawsuit against two social workers because such cross-examination would be improper, without foundation, irrelevant, would serve to confuse the issues and mislead the jury, and would harass the witnesses.

 

[PastTense]

"A federal jury that convicted a former University of Illinois doctoral student of kidnapping, torturing and killing a young scholar from China now must decide if Brendt Christensen should be put to death.

While the state of Illinois, where she was killed, does not have the death penalty, the case was brought under federal law, which does allow capital punishment.

The jury returned a guilty verdict on June 24 after deliberating for less than 90 minutes, in part, because the 30-year-old Christensen’s own lawyers told jurors from the outset that he did kill 26-year-old Yingying Zhang, saying their sole objective was to persuade jurors to spare his life.

The penalty phase, which is set to start Monday, is sure to be more contentious and more emotionally grueling. Here’s a look out how it will work and how it could play out:"
Jury to consider death penalty in Chinese scholar killing

 

[Webthrush]

" <snip>....
The penalty phase, which is set to start Monday, is sure to be more contentious and more emotionally grueling. Here’s a look out how it will work and how it could play out:"
Jury to consider death penalty in Chinese scholar killing

From the above piece:
“Q: WILL CHRISTENSEN SPEAK?

A: He could. But how is a point of disagreement. The defense wants Christensen to be able to make a statement, perhaps to apologize to Zhang’s family. Prosecutors said he should only be able to speak from the witness stand and that prosecutors should be able to cross-examine him.
He may also want to reveal what he did with Zhang’s remains, which have never been found. That could be risky. He is heard on secret FBI recordings telling his girlfriend Zhang’s remains were “gone forever.” Far from crediting him for revealing how he disposed of the body, jurors could end up being more repelled.”

Then at the end the article notes that, as of 2018, only 3 out of 78 people sentenced to death in the last 30 yrs. have actually been executed.

 

[dm92]

They are relatives ? Or paid to say good things ?

Relatives and friends of BC. I am a little surprised that YY will only have ~11 people making statements. I would have figured a few more from her lab at UIUC would speak as well.....

 

[dm92]

From the above piece:
“Q: WILL CHRISTENSEN SPEAK?

A: He could. But how is a point of disagreement. The defense wants Christensen to be able to make a statement, perhaps to apologize to Zhang’s family. Prosecutors said he should only be able to speak from the witness stand and that prosecutors should be able to cross-examine him.
He may also want to reveal what he did with Zhang’s remains, which have never been found. That could be risky. He is heard on secret FBI recordings telling his girlfriend Zhang’s remains were “gone forever.” Far from crediting him for revealing how he disposed of the body, jurors could end up being more repelled.”

Then at the end the article notes that, as of 2018, only 3 out of 78 people sentenced to death in the last 30 yrs. have actually been executed.

That's talking about allocution -addressing the court/jury without being under oath. As the article indicates, prosecutors have filed a motion in limine to disallow this.

I don't know why they would want him to. What can he say that will make anything better? Especially when you consider that they have been drawing this out for over two years, when he could have pled guilty at any time from November 2017 on to today.

Absolutely agree with what they say about revealing what he did with her remains. Only thing that would help him is if he could tell where he placed them and they were able to recover (at least some) of them. If he confirms that he destroyed her completely, or dispersed them in a way that would make them virtually impossible to recover, it is only going to make everyone more furious with him (if that is even possible to be more furious with him). With how badly her mother is wanting to take her home, and how emotionally distraught she is, confirming to the court that he made them impossible to recover is only going to seal him in his coffin......

 

[dm92]

From the above piece:
“Q: WILL CHRISTENSEN SPEAK?

A: He could. But how is a point of disagreement. The defense wants Christensen to be able to make a statement, perhaps to apologize to Zhang’s family. Prosecutors said he should only be able to speak from the witness stand and that prosecutors should be able to cross-examine him.
He may also want to reveal what he did with Zhang’s remains, which have never been found. That could be risky. He is heard on secret FBI recordings telling his girlfriend Zhang’s remains were “gone forever.” Far from crediting him for revealing how he disposed of the body, jurors could end up being more repelled.”

Then at the end the article notes that, as of 2018, only 3 out of 78 people sentenced to death in the last 30 yrs. have actually been executed.

Some of that is because they can't buy the chemicals to execute people, IIRC.

I'm sure if he gets the death penalty, there might be a Chinese pharmaceutical manufacturer or two who could be persuaded to fill a contract for the drug cocktails needed......

 

[kittythehare]

CONCLUSION The victim impact evidence complained of by the defendant will only be presented with regard to the non-statutory aggravating factor of victim impact. By law, the jury may not consider either this aggravating factor, or any evidence in support thereof, until they held that the defendant is eligible for the death penalty. As the Supreme Court has long held, the defendant holds no Confrontation right at that point of the penalty phase. Moreover, the cases and argument advanced by the defendant do not support his request. WHEREFORE, the United States respectfully requests that the Defendant’s Motion to Strike Victim Impact Evidence Based on Violations of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure (R.438), be denied without a hearing. Respectfully submitted, JOHN E. CHILDRESS UNITED STATES ATTORNEY /s/Eugene L. Miller Eugene L. Miller Assistant United States Attorney 201 S. Vine St., Suite 226 Urbana, IL 61802 Phone: 217/373-5875; Fax: 217/373-5891

Response to Motion – #443 in United States v. Christensen (C.D. Ill., 2:17-cr-20037) – CourtListener.com

 

[kittythehare]

Response (NOT to a motion/petition) – #444 in United States v. Christensen (C.D. Ill., 2:17-cr-20037) – CourtListener.com

16 pages.

 

[MsFacetious]

It's not uncommon for a defendant to make a statement at a sentencing. Just as it's not uncommon for the victim's family to make a statement at a sentencing. I thought the defendant was always given that opportunity.

Perhaps it's different in a federal case, or a death penalty case or when the defendant did not take the stand at trial?

 

[Deleted member 158085]

Some of that is because they can't buy the chemicals to execute people, IIRC.

I'm sure if he gets the death penalty, there might be a Chinese pharmaceutical manufacturer or two who could be persuaded to fill a contract for the drug cocktails needed......

I’ve never understood this issue. We know what works on animals. I really don’t understand why there must be an elaborate cocktail when all it takes is an overdose of phenobarbital. Pump some Valium in first if they want to knock them out first.

 

[kittythehare]

I’ve never understood this issue. We know what works on animals. I really don’t understand why there must be an elaborate cocktail when all it takes is an overdose of phenobarbital. Pump some Valium in first if they want to knock them out first.[/QUOTE
Is the electric chair gone completely, I never knew how that worked?

Anyways, no doubt , when and if it ever comes to pass, his defense will assist him research every drug on the planet and a few from Mars too...be 20 years away.

 

[Spellbound]

Has this been posted and I just can't seem to find it now? Counseling session three months before Yingying's kidnapping/murder.

UI counseling session video released in Christensen trial
UI counseling session video released in Christensen trial

[scroll down a bit for the full session, @ 90 minutes total]

 

[Laughing]

Relatives and friends of BC. I am a little surprised that YY will only have ~11 people making statements. I would have figured a few more from her lab at UIUC would speak as well.....

JMHO 2 years have passed. Many colleagues completed their programs & are living somewhere else now. IIRC Ms. Zhang participated in a 1 year visiting scholar program, and agricultural research project?

Could be off in left field, jumping to conclusions, of course.

JMHO YMMV

 

[MeadowMuffin]

I’ve never understood this issue. We know what works on animals. I really don’t understand why there must be an elaborate cocktail when all it takes is an overdose of phenobarbital. Pump some Valium in first if they want to knock them out first.

I so agree with you. If it's good enough to put down our beloved pets, it's good enough for these horrid people. I've been a Recovery Room nurse since 1987, and have seen great success with Valium, now it's more often than not Versed or Ativan. Used to sedate people on ventilators so they don't fight it, used to put people to sleep initially for surgery or procedures like colonoscopies, cardioversions, etc. Works extremely well, part of the problem may be that there is a poor intravenous line in, and the drug seeps into the tissues not the veins. That would cause pain. Plus if they've been alcoholics or drug addicts, it may take massive amounts to knock them out. Probably this is where the problem lies. The Vecuronium paralyzes muscles (also given during most surgeries to people so a breathing tube can be inserted for anesthesia). Potassium is given which causes the heart to stop. Potassium solution is given in open heart surgery to stop the heart so it can be operated on. Burns like heck. All very commonly used drugs. So the problem isn't the drugs per se, but the administration of the first one. My guess would be that not enough Versed is being given or it's not reaching the vein properly. I don't know how the person is chosen to start IVs is made, but there are excellent tools now that aid in finding blood vessels that we use daily in surgery. I agree with some states, let the prisoner choose, drugs/electrocution/firing squad.

 

[kittythehare]

an objection has just been submitted.
No. 445.
It is not clear who lodged it and it's still unopened on court listener.
Sometimes they come in like that and are open shortly afterwards...
day before the penalty phase!!!
Here's the link
Docket for United States v. Christensen, 2:17-cr-20037 - CourtListener.com

 

[Webthrush]

an objection has just been submitted.
No. 445.
It is not clear who lodged it and it's still unopened on court listener.
Sometimes they come in like that and are open shortly afterwards...
day before the penalty phase!!!
Here's the link
Docket for United States v. Christensen, 2:17-cr-20037 - CourtListener.com

geeez, how many of these submissions will we have to endure in say the next 10 days!?
Anyway, 'til tomorrow, things are slow so just a few bits:

Am amazed how much of the audiotape transcript is deemed “unintelligible”… I assumed the FBI had enhancement/filtering techniques that would bring out more of the key words; very disappointing! BC seems increasingly drunk and rambly along the walk -- he says he’s killed more than John Wayne Gacy or Jeffrey Dahmer — but anyone who’s studied serial killers, as he had, would know this is simply false; so he’s likely not mistaken, he’s lying… in fact 13 victims is NOT a terribly big number in modern serial killer history as he claims it is (again a lie); seems like he's exaggerating/embellishing/lying to impress TEB in his swaggering way, or just stroke his own ego (JMO). How many other lies are sprinkled in?
[Some of his description sounds like something derived from the Japanese anime he was so fond of, though I’m not familiar enough with that genre to know for sure.]

I still think it’s possible that BC will yet “come clean” and tell everything that happened, and it will vary considerably from the story we’ve been told… disgusting to think he might just avoid the DP (and live potentially 50 yrs. at taxpayer expense) by simply waiting this long to tell all… and of course even if he gets the DP we’re likely looking at well over a decade of appeals.

 

[altojack]

Webthrush, I agree with you about the vigil tape. I thought FBI had all mod cons in this day and age. I'd be embarrassed to present that tape as evidence I think.

As far as beating John Wayne Gacy, BC would still have to keep going as Gacy killed 30+ if I remember correctly.

 

[kittythehare]

geeez, how many of these submissions will we have to endure in say the next 10 days!?
Anyway, 'til tomorrow, things are slow so just a few bits:

Am amazed how much of the audiotape transcript is deemed “unintelligible”… I assumed the FBI had enhancement/filtering techniques that would bring out more of the key words; very disappointing! BC seems increasingly drunk and rambly along the walk -- he says he’s killed more than John Wayne Gacy or Jeffrey Dahmer — but anyone who’s studied serial killers, as he had, would know this is simply false; so he’s likely not mistaken, he’s lying… in fact 13 victims is NOT a terribly big number in modern serial killer history as he claims it is (again a lie); seems like he's exaggerating/embellishing/lying to impress TEB in his swaggering way, or just stroke his own ego (JMO). How many other lies are sprinkled in?
[Some of his description sounds like something derived from the Japanese anime he was so fond of, though I’m not familiar enough with that genre to know for sure.]

I still think it’s possible that BC will yet “come clean” and tell everything that happened, and it will vary considerably from the story we’ve been told… disgusting to think he might just avoid the DP (and live potentially 50 yrs. at taxpayer expense) by simply waiting this long to tell all… and of course even if he gets the DP we’re likely looking at well over a decade of appeals.

It was a strange meandering, but, strangely, I did not get the feeling he was trying to impress TB...he had no need, she was already smitten.
I think he was considering getting a partner for his continuation. I think he may have thought she would be likely to go along with that notion.
His numbers were well off.
BUT they had some meaning for him, may not all be murders, but murder is easy.. he talked about killing women nobody would miss, suggesting he was at least aware of how to go about procuring victims.
I don't believe she was his first.
The broad daylight capture was strange.
Michelle was gone since night before, he could have taken a drive then, parked up, walked into red light area, picked his prey and brought her to his hidden car, all under the cover of darkness.

I reckon his defense has some rather strange curve-balls prepared for the week- this is their big gig.
I'm seriously not looking forward to hearing about it.
I'm anti DP but I could make an exception here .
Why should I change my convictions for a creep like this.
My biggest fear is that LWOP turns out to become LWP.
If he hits the streets again, more women will die.
No Remorse.
Her family will return to China without their child, barren and destroyed, also her fiance.
Overall, I feel desperately disappointed in the investigation that never located her remains, in the hours of interviews that were unable to break him. I doubt I'll find catharsis for either of those 2 elements no matter what BS is presented in his defense.
If he's wise, he will suicide.
He is not wise though.
He is selfish and narcissistic.
Considers himself a genius.