Deceased/Not Found IL - Yingying Zhang, 26, Urbana, 9 June 2017 #8 *Arrest*

[dm92]

Long write-up published today on the eve of the trial, reviewing the case and court proceedings so far to date.

Nearly two years later, accused kidnapper, killer of Chinese scholar will face trial

A good review, but not much info that I haven't already seen. This was the only thing that stood out to me that I didn't realize (underlined):

Along with the charge of kidnapping resulting in death, Christensen faces two counts of lying to federal agents.

While his attorneys said early on that they'd need to investigate possible sightings of Ms. Zhang, they referred in a recent motion to the "death of Ms. Zhang." And though prosecutors haven't said how they believe Ms. Zhang was killed, various pretrial motions and hearings have provided clues as to what prosecutors believe happened.

I remember them in a filing seeking a further delay saying that they needed to investigate possible sightings of her and supposed activity on her social media accounts, but I don't remember a filing where his defense referred to her death. Must have slipped by me. Doesn't surprise me though. In a filing late last year/early this year, they referenced "attempts to resolve the matter short of a sentence of death" -and you don't try to bargain away your client's freedom if you think he's innocent of the charge.........

 

[kittythehare]

Some more bad news re trial reporting,I'm afraid.
40 journalists have applied for passes.
No electronic devices will be allowed in court-room, so no live-tweeting. Reporters will fill in during breaks as best they can.
This guy is doing some sharp work. He'll be reporting, here's a link to his twitter handle Ben Zigterman (@bzigterman) | Twitter
And just to get everybody in the ready and remembering YY's parents and her kid brother- it's going down okay- here's a photo of the court
Ben Zigterman on Twitter

 

[kittythehare]

Long write-up published today on the eve of the trial, reviewing the case and court proceedings so far to date.

Nearly two years later, accused kidnapper, killer of Chinese scholar will face trial

A good review, but not much info that I haven't already seen. This was the only thing that stood out to me that I didn't realize (underlined):

Along with the charge of kidnapping resulting in death, Christensen faces two counts of lying to federal agents.

While his attorneys said early on that they'd need to investigate possible sightings of Ms. Zhang, they referred in a recent motion to the "death of Ms. Zhang." And though prosecutors haven't said how they believe Ms. Zhang was killed, various pretrial motions and hearings have provided clues as to what prosecutors believe happened.

I remember them in a filing seeking a further delay saying that they needed to investigate possible sightings of her and supposed activity on her social media accounts, but I don't remember a filing where his defense referred to her death. Must have slipped by me. Doesn't surprise me though. In a filing late last year/early this year, they referenced "attempts to resolve the matter short of a sentence of death" -and you don't try to bargain away your client's freedom if you think he's innocent of the charge.........

I remember that filing too...but recall he had a different lawyer at the beginning? I cannot recall if that was submitted by first lawyers or current lawyers? Probably means the same and I agree with you.

 

[Niner]

Monday, June 3rd:
*Trial set to begin-Jury Selection (@ 9am ET) - IL - Yingying Zhang (26) (missing on June 9, 2017, Urbana; not found) - *Brendt A. Christensen (28) indicted (6/30/17) on kidnapping (Federal charge) resulting in death of Yingying & 2 counts of giving false statements to FBI. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA will seek DP.
Trial starts 6/3/19; should last about 5 weeks. Jury selection starts 6/3 & will probably take one week.

 

[Niner]

I'm hoping "someone" here will be posting the tweets!

 

[kittythehare]

I'm hoping "someone" here will be posting the tweets!

I promise you we will ALL post the tweet that says-
GUILTY, now roll up your sleeve'

 

[dm92]

Regular ongoing updates here.....\

LIVE: Christensen trial, Day 1

 

[kittythehare]

I promise you we will ALL post the tweet that says-
GUILTY, now roll up your sleeve'

Thanks, great link-see this?
The judge read off lengthy witness list, which includes mostly law enforcement, but also members of Yingying family plus some University of Illinois employees and Christensen's ex-wife.

my understanding was that witness lists were not yet finalised?

 

[dm92]

Thanks, great link-see this?
The judge read off lengthy witness list, which includes mostly law enforcement, but also members of Yingying family plus some University of Illinois employees and Christensen's ex-wife.

my understanding was that witness lists were not yet finalised?

There were a few sealed documents filed last week around the time that the exhibit list was filed, so one of those might be the witness list -sealed so as to avoid releasing witness ID and contact info...

 

[kittythehare]

There were a few sealed documents filed last week around the time that the exhibit list was filed, so one of those might be the witness list -sealed so as to avoid releasing witness ID and contact info...

No, there was a link to a discussion on the subject a few days ago, I posted link... something like 3-5 days pre-trial prosecution were to submit their list? That would bring it into late this week. It is , of course possible they were sealed but if they are complete, be good to see them now, surprised courtlistener hasn't registered them yet? Sealed or Unsealed.
I'm also wondering whether the AP headline of yesterday, posted link here , which stated TB would be appearing as a witness is accurate or not?

 

[kittythehare]

Jury procedure documented here.. this is gonna be a long one
Attorneys in Christensen trial briefed on jury-selection procedure

 

[kittythehare]

Brendt Christensen trial jury selection begins in case of dead Chinese scholar at U of I Yingying Zhang

 

[kittythehare]

ChuckGoudie on Twitter

 

[kittythehare]

interview YY's parents
Trial begins for Illinois man in missing Chinese scholar case

 

[dotr]

Family arrives as trial starts in slaying of Chinese scholar
The mother and father of a 26-year-old visiting Chinese scholar who went missing in 2017 arrived at a central Illinois on Monday for the start of the federal death-penalty trial of a former University of Illinois graduate student accused of kidnapping, torturing and killing their daughter.

TV footage showed Yingying Zhang's father and mother walking into the federal courthouse in Peoria just before U.S. District Judge James Shadid began the process of picking 12 jurors and six alternate jurors to hear evidence against Brendt Christensen . The judge has said jury selection should take over a week.

 

[dm92]

No, there was a link to a discussion on the subject a few days ago, I posted link... something like 3-5 days pre-trial prosecution were to submit their list? That would bring it into late this week. It is , of course possible they were sealed but if they are complete, be good to see them now, surprised courtlistener hasn't registered them yet? Sealed or Unsealed.
I'm also wondering whether the AP headline of yesterday, posted link here , which stated TB would be appearing as a witness is accurate or not?

Isn't today the official start of the trial? If so, then 3-5 days pre-trial would be last week (May 29 -when there were a few sealed documents filed)

Shadid read a list of witnesses to the prospective jurors, so he obviously has a list that has been submitted to him. He needs to do this, so as to determine if any of the Jurors know potential witnesses, and if they may be impacted by this...


From the 10AM update:
Update: 10 a.m.

Judge James Shadid is questioning first panel of 16. All said they accepted Christensen's presumption of innocence.

The judge read off lengthy witness list, which includes mostly law enforcement, but also members of Yingying family plus some University of Illinois employees and Christensen's ex-wife.

All jurors said they did not know anyone on the list. All but two jurors said they have heard about the case. One juror said he had formed an opinion.

The jurors said they could refrain from watching news coverage during trial.

Looks like BC's wife is going to testify at some point......

 

[dm92]

From the update at 1:45

Sixteen potential jurors were called in Monday morning and asked if they knew any of the lawyers, court clerks or potential witnesses.

That included about 88 potential witnesses from the prosecution, many of them FBI agents or biologists, and about 53 from the defense, including Christensen's former wife.

So, BC's wife is a witness for the defense..... and he has potentially 53 of them. I wonder how many will testify in the guilt phase, and how many are potentially for the penalty phase?

Also, the process is said to be going slowly.......

 

[kittythehare]

Isn't today the official start of the trial? If so, then 3-5 days pre-trial would be last week (May 29 -when there were a few sealed documents filed)

Shadid read a list of witnesses to the prospective jurors, so he obviously has a list that has been submitted to him. He needs to do this, so as to determine if any of the Jurors know potential witnesses, and if they may be impacted by this...


From the 10AM update:
Update: 10 a.m.

Judge James Shadid is questioning first panel of 16. All said they accepted Christensen's presumption of innocence.

The judge read off lengthy witness list, which includes mostly law enforcement, but also members of Yingying family plus some University of Illinois employees and Christensen's ex-wife.

All jurors said they did not know anyone on the list. All but two jurors said they have heard about the case. One juror said he had formed an opinion.

The jurors said they could refrain from watching news coverage during trial.

Looks like BC's wife is going to testify at some point......

I was referring to this dated May 30th.
May 30, 2019

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge James E. Shadid. Parties present in open court: Attys Eugene Miller, Bryan Freres, and James Nelson with Agents Andrew Huckstadt and Anthony Maganero; and Defendant Brendt A. Christensen with Attys Robert Tucker, Matthew Rubenstein, Elisabeth Pollock, George Taseff, and Julie Brain for Status Conference on Thursday, 5/30/2019. Discussion held re Dft's request for advance notice of witnesses, Motion 358 . Court grants the request to the extent that counsel can provide list of expected witnesses within a week, at least 2-3 days, prior. Brief Arguments re: 336 Motion for Clarification as to Dr. Zoline, Response 349 ; 333 Motion to Limit Testimony as to Dr. Sorenson, Response 348 ; AND 353 counsel's requests for use of demonstrative exhibits. Court RESERVES rulings on these issues. Court reviews layout of the courtroom as well as the processes and procedures for jury selection. Court approves each side to have a jury consultant present during jury selection. In-camera session held. Dft remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal. (Court Reporter NM) (JRK, ilcd)
Source-Docket for United States v. Christensen, 2:17-cr-20037 - CourtListener.com

I assumed this referred to start of trial proper, after witness selection has been completed and everything is ready to start. Ambiguous wording, I know.

 

[kittythehare]

questions asked by the judge to some jurors
Jess Kunz on Twitter

 

[dm92]

I was referring to this dated May 30th.
May 30, 2019

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge James E. Shadid. Parties present in open court: Attys Eugene Miller, Bryan Freres, and James Nelson with Agents Andrew Huckstadt and Anthony Maganero; and Defendant Brendt A. Christensen with Attys Robert Tucker, Matthew Rubenstein, Elisabeth Pollock, George Taseff, and Julie Brain for Status Conference on Thursday, 5/30/2019. Discussion held re Dft's request for advance notice of witnesses, Motion 358 . Court grants the request to the extent that counsel can provide list of expected witnesses within a week, at least 2-3 days, prior. Brief Arguments re: 336 Motion for Clarification as to Dr. Zoline, Response 349 ; 333 Motion to Limit Testimony as to Dr. Sorenson, Response 348 ; AND 353 counsel's requests for use of demonstrative exhibits. Court RESERVES rulings on these issues. Court reviews layout of the courtroom as well as the processes and procedures for jury selection. Court approves each side to have a jury consultant present during jury selection. In-camera session held. Dft remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal. (Court Reporter NM) (JRK, ilcd)
Source-Docket for United States v. Christensen, 2:17-cr-20037 - CourtListener.com

I assumed this referred to start of trial proper, after witness selection has been completed and everything is ready to start. Ambiguous wording, I know.

I see.

I think that that motion was a relief motion, where the defense is asking that the court instruct the prosecution to let the defense know which witnesses would likely be called 2-3 days prior to them being called, so they can have time to prepare for cross examination for specific witnesses.