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

[kittythehare]

Yes, I remember but what on earth could he want them for? To give the flat a deep clean after he had finished his cleaning? Oh, oh noooo. Is it possible, no, surely not. Could he have flushed many, man- here's the link, it's mentioned but noty small pieces down the toilet and wanted the maintenance crew to do a full on commercial flush down the system. I hated writing that.

I must go back and read where it said about dismembering her body. Right now I don't recollect seeing that, I am tired however lol.

good thinking, but not at all sure that's what he did. The document was the one about Zoline's testimonyMotion for Leave to File – #264 in United States v. Christensen (C.D. Ill., 2:17-cr-20037) – CourtListener.com
It's mentioned but not stated as a fact of what happened .

So I had a wee google about the crime of dismembering. It's considered a pretty serious crime and the penalties are very high in Illinois- like c/p
If convicted of dismembering a human body, the penalties are incredibly severe, including mandatory minimum sentences of 6-30 years in prison and no possibility of probation.
FelonyX charge in Illinois!
Got all that off old Bruno's website (no wonder he ran)

Anyways, here's the link-Dismembering a Human Body | Bruno Law Offices

Then there's this-
As opposed to surgical amputation of the limbs, dismemberment is often fatal to all but the simplest of creatures. In criminology, a distinction is made between offensive, where dismemberment is the primary objective of the dismemberer, and defensivedismemberment, where it's done to destroy evidence.
Dismemberment - Wikipedia

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dismemberment
Was the alleged dismemberment part of the plan or to cover up evidence?

More here-What Is the Penalty for Dismembering a Human Body?

 

[crhedBngr]

IIRC, it’s not dumpsters that he dislikes or is afraid of. It is garbage disposals.......

Sitting on my hands after reading this. I'll be good, I'll be good.

Praying - very very strongly - that YYZ gets the justice she truly deserves.

 

[dm92]

good thinking, but not at all sure that's what he did. The document was the one about Zoline's testimonyMotion for Leave to File – #264 in United States v. Christensen (C.D. Ill., 2:17-cr-20037) – CourtListener.com
It's mentioned but not stated as a fact of what happened .

So I had a wee google about the crime of dismembering. It's considered a pretty serious crime and the penalties are very high in Illinois- like c/p
If convicted of dismembering a human body, the penalties are incredibly severe, including mandatory minimum sentences of 6-30 years in prison and no possibility of probation.
FelonyX charge in Illinois!
Got all that off old Bruno's website (no wonder he ran)

Anyways, here's the link-Dismembering a Human Body | Bruno Law Offices

Then there's this-
As opposed to surgical amputation of the limbs, dismemberment is often fatal to all but the simplest of creatures. In criminology, a distinction is made between offensive, where dismemberment is the primary objective of the dismemberer, and defensivedismemberment, where it's done to destroy evidence.
Dismemberment - Wikipedia

Dismemberment - Wikipedia
Was the alleged dismemberment part of the plan or to cover up evidence?

More here-What Is the Penalty for Dismembering a Human Body?

If they meant to mention it, then they have evidence that it occurred, and I would figure that they will present this evidence to the Jury. I do find it odd that it is mentioned here and nowhere else, but there have been many sealed motions in this case and it is always possible they mentioned it in one of these as well. It is also possible that they just *think* that is what he did, and some clerk who was drafting this just slipped up and added it accidentally, and no one caught it. Only way to know for sure is when they start detailing what happened to the jury and showing them the evidence they have.

Dismemberment would serve as an aggravator in this case two ways: meeting the definition of the statutory aggravator of torture and/or severe physical abuse, and part of the non-statutory aggravator of obstruction. By destroying or concealing her remains, he's obstructing the investigation of the act, and the act of dismembering her to aid in destroying or concealing her remains would be part of that. Dismembering her while still alive would obviously be torture/severe physical abuse -but so would dismembering her *after* death. The courts, including the Supreme Court, have held that dismemberment of a corpse after death is considered severe physical abuse, and thus doing this would meet the definition of this statutory aggravator. That dismemberment, whether after death or before, meets the definition of severe physical abuse may also explain why they have never mentioned it in filings in the past: they didn't need to and didn't want to. They always stated that his acts included torture and/or severe physical abuse, which dismemberment obviously is. They didn't want to give out too much detail that the public could pick up on, because that might make it difficult to find unbiased jurors when we reached this stage.

At least we will know soon. Once opening statements start, we will start getting answers...

 

[trunkizback]

I've been thinking about the death penalty. Christensen. We want justice for YY, but on a level are we not entering the domain of whatever dark energies caused her death by wishing awfulness on him?
This tweet struck me today, off topic completely but worthy of mentioning because it stopped me in my tracks
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Twitter

The last DP case I followed was Dylan Roof and Charleston.
This arrived today in a tweet.
Forgiveness After A Massacre In Charleston | WAMU
Maybe I'm seeking to find my own catharsis before the trial starts proper.
It's not going in the way of peace for me this case has left me unsettled.
I'm interested in others' opinions on the death penalty in general or specifically.
I'm against it. Yet I'm almost defending it in this case. I'm way off my axis.

I also waver at times over the whole death penalty debate. Every now and then you hear of some guy who has been in prison for like 20 plus years found to be innocent. So there's that. But also, to me anyway, I think BC spending the next40 to 50 years behind bars with NO chance at parole is a far worse punishment.
And to echo DM's thoughts...I seriously am worried YY's mother may actually suffer some kind of attack when some of this gory crap comes out. I'm sure that China isn't Xanadu but they are about to see and hear some next level evil. It breaks my heart everytime I see her on TV. sigh

 

[Niner]

Thursday, June 6th:
*Trial continues-Jury Selection (Day 4) (@ 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 started 6/3/19; should last about 5 weeks. Jury selection starts 6/3 & will probably take one week.
6/3/19 Day 1: Judge Shadid started the process of picking 12 jurors & 6 alternates. Jury selection: first group of 16 questioned this morning. After being questioned in open court, they were brought into the judge's chambers for individual questioning. They completed initial screening of 29 jurors today, so far 13 have been pre-approved to move on to the next round. Once they get up to 70 pre-approved jurors, they will go to the next stage, which is selecting the 12 jurors and 6 alternates from this pool of 70. Jury selection will continue on 6/4.
6/4/19 Day 2: Another 9 jurors pre-approved, bringing total to 22. Two were approved over objections. Now up to 37 pre-qualified jurors. Jury selection continues to 6/5.
6/5/19 Day 3: Judge Shadid said opening statements will likely be next Wednesday. Prosecutors said they think they can make their case in 8 days or less and hope to finish by Friday, June 21 @ 9am. Then defense would make their case, then closing statements,and then jurors would deliberate. No info on jury selection. Jury selection continues on 6/6.

 

[kittythehare]

some tweets from today



Christensen trial jury selection, day 3: US Attorneys are concerned the acoustics of the courtroom may make it hard to hear audio evidence-- they're requesting for headphones to be provided. #YingyingZhang @WCIA3
Christensen trial recap, jury selection day 3: Day ends with 8 potential jurors qualifying, bringing the total to 45. Goal is 70 by the end of Friday.
evetal potential jurors are concerned serving would interfere with their summer vacations. The judge says he'll address that with each of them individually in his chambers #YingYingZhang @WCIA3 Source Aaron Eades (@WCIA3Eades) | Twitter

Aaron Eades also posted photos of courtroom on his facebook page Aaron Eades

From Ben, we learn Christensen is very nicely dressed again today.

1. 
   
   They're now in judge's chambers for individual questioning (7/7)
   
   0 replies0 retweets0 likes
   
2. 
   Ben Zigterman‏ @bzigterman 35m35 minutes ago
   One potential juror had served on two murder trials before (6/7)
   
   1 reply0 retweets0 likes
   
3. 
   Ben Zigterman‏ @bzigterman 35m35 minutes ago
   Hardships varied from self employed small business owner to a sales person paid in part by commissions to family vacations planned (5/7)
   
   1 reply0 retweets0 likes
   
4. 
   Ben Zigterman‏ @bzigterman 35m35 minutes ago
   Prosecutors said they want lawyers and jurors to wear headphones to listen to recordings during trial bc of poor acoustics in the courtroom and what sounds like poor quality of the recordings. Shadid said he'd consider it. (4/7
5. 
   1 reply0 retweets0 likes
   
6. 
   Ben Zigterman‏ @bzigterman 35m35 minutes ago
   Christensen in court wearing blue dress shirt

 

[Hatfield]

Glad the trial process has started and glad we are in Jury selection phase.

Once they get to a pool of 70 pre-qualified jurors then we will get to the next phase of actually selecting the jury from those 70.

Patiently waiting for justice in this case.

 

[Hatfield]

Thursday, June 6th:
*Trial continues-Jury Selection (Day 4) (@ 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 started 6/3/19; should last about 5 weeks. Jury selection starts 6/3 & will probably take one week.
6/3/19 Day 1: Judge Shadid started the process of picking 12 jurors & 6 alternates. Jury selection: first group of 16 questioned this morning. After being questioned in open court, they were brought into the judge's chambers for individual questioning. They completed initial screening of 29 jurors today, so far 13 have been pre-approved to move on to the next round. Once they get up to 70 pre-approved jurors, they will go to the next stage, which is selecting the 12 jurors and 6 alternates from this pool of 70. Jury selection will continue on 6/4.
6/4/19 Day 2: Another 9 jurors pre-approved, bringing total to 22. Two were approved over objections. Now up to 37 pre-qualified jurors. Jury selection continues to 6/5.
6/5/19 Day 3: Judge Shadid said opening statements will likely be next Wednesday. Prosecutors said they think they can make their case in 8 days or less and hope to finish by Friday, June 21 @ 9am. Then defense would make their case, then closing statements,and then jurors would deliberate. No info on jury selection. Jury selection continues on 6/6.

I am starting to have concerns for the Prosecution's evidence if they think they can get done in only 8 days.

From above....
"Prosecutors said they think they can make their case in 8 days or less and hope to finish by Friday, June 21 @ 9am."

 

[Webthrush]

I am starting to have concerns for the Prosecution's evidence if they think they can get done in only 8 days.

From above....
"Prosecutors said they think they can make their case in 8 days or less and hope to finish by Friday, June 21 @ 9am."

Yeah, I feel ignorant for not knowing this, but what does "a day" in a trial like this entail; are we talking essentially 8 hrs., or much less than that? and is it all prosecution presentation for those 8 days, or does that include Defense cross-examination (as well as objections, interruptions, etc.), or does all their cross-examination come later?
[I'm not concerned about the Prosecution's case, but just curious about the procedures]
By the way, I assume BC will not take the stand, but have we heard either way?

 

[Hatfield]

Yeah, I feel ignorant for not knowing this, but what does "a day" in a trial like this entail; are we talking essentially 8 hrs., or much less than that? and is it all prosecution presentation for those 8 days, or does that include Defense cross-examination (as well as objections, interruptions, etc.), or does all their cross-examination come later?
[I'm not concerned about the Prosecution's case, but just curious about the procedures]
By the way, I assume BC will not take the stand, but have we heard either way?

Ive watched a few trials now from gavel to gavel and what I have learned is each judge and each trial and even each state can be a little different in how things flow during the course of a trial. Especially the hours and days that they actually have court. Saw one case where Fridays must have been golf day for the judge. By the end of that trial, most Fridays became a no-court day.

But one thing that seems consistent through all the trials I have seen is that the Defense can question the Prosecution witnesses right after the Prosecution is done asking their questions of that witness.

So yeah, I am not sure if the Prosecution is accounting for how much the Defense may slow down this trial. The defense gets their crack at each of the prosecution witnesses right after Pro. is done with them.

And on top of that, when the Prosecution rests its case, then the Defense gets to call their own list of new witnesses to the stand for questioning. And in reverse the Prosecution then gets their shot at those Defense witnesses each time one gets up.

Criminal Trial Procedures: An Overview

ETA - To answer the other question about whether the defendant will take the stand or not, we will not know that answer until much later.

The defendant can wait to make that decision right up until the very last defense witness is called to the stand. I was just watching a little bit of the current trial for the NFL star Kellen Winslow, and we did not know whether or not he would take the stand until right before the Defense rested. So they can wait to make that decision right up to the very end of the Defense case.

 

[kittythehare]

Ive watched a few trials now from gavel to gavel and what I have learned is each judge and each trial and even each state can be a little different in how things flow during the course of a trial. Especially the hours and days that they actually have court. Saw one case where Fridays must have been golf day for the judge. By the end of that trial, most Fridays became a no-court day.

But one thing that seems consistent through all the trials I have seen is that the Defense can question the Prosecution witnesses right after the Prosecution is done asking their questions of that witness.

So yeah, I am not sure if the Prosecution is accounting for how much the Defense may slow down this trial. The defense gets their crack at each of the prosecution witnesses right after Pro. is done with them.

And on top of that, when the Prosecution rests its case, then the Defense gets to call their own list of new witnesses to the stand for questioning. And in reverse the Pr
osecution then gets their shot at those Defense witnesses each time one gets up.

Criminal Trial Procedures: An Overview

I share your misgivings. Also this is a Federal case which are usually lengthier because of the many components that must be satisfied for federal cases.
Comparing Federal & State Courts

Federal vs. State Courts - Key Differences - FindLaw

My feeling is that the prosecution will present based on points of law, thus streamlined.
But it is true, they may not have much.
- he picked her up, he brought her home, she is probably dead.
That's about the size of it.

 

[Hatfield]

My feeling is that the prosecution will present based on points of law, thus streamlined.
But it is true, they may not have much.
- he picked her up, he brought her home, she is probably dead.
That's about the size of it.

So long as the jury uses their common sense and can see the forest amongst the trees they should convict him like he deserves.

The problem I have seen with some juries is there sometimes is one or two hard nosed jurors that just because they dont have a smoking gun they cannot sign a guilty verdict. I hope the Prosecution preaches about common sense and how valid conclusions can be made even without a smoking gun.

Like if a tree falls in the forest with nobody to hear it, then does it really make a sound?

Hey stupid juror. YES, there is sound (insects heard it-LOL) and Yes, he had to have killed her because of sheer common sense.

*He picks her up.
*She is never seen or heard from again.
*He admits it to his friend at the school function for the victim.
*He is guilty

Jurors. Be sure to get your morning coffee each day and bring some common sense with you to court each day.

 

[kittythehare]

Latest
Ben Zigterman on Twitter

 

[kittythehare]

Christensen trial, Day 3 | Judge expects opening statements Wednesday

Potential jurors in the Brendt Christensen trial have cited a variety of hardships — from lost pay and heavy workloads to vacations and elderly parents — but they do receive a small stipend for fulfilling their civic duty:

— $50 per day, plus round-trip mileage, for each day they appear, including jury selection.

— Another $10 per day if the trial runs more than 10 days, which is expected in this case. (Employers are forbidden by federal law from firing, intimidating or coercing any permanent employee because of their jury duty).

— A "subsistence fee" of $149 per day, plus hotel taxes, if they live more than 70 miles away and stay at a hotel.

Ms. Zhang's family, who flew in from China for the trial, did not attend Wednesday's jury-selection proceedings, as they had the first two days.

Their lawyer, Urbana attorney Steve Beckett, did watch from the remote viewing room at the Urbana federal courthouse.

 

[kittythehare]

I notice media are highlighting the baseball bat
Openings expected next week in Chinese scholar slaying trial
It is possible he used it to hurt or kill her but I saw nothing in any filing or report to suggest such an implement was used, UNLESS, it was what he used to initially disempower her just after he picked her up!
The reasons for my doubt about it being one of his chosen torture-implements is the huge variant in their sizes and weights and his record of body-building and gym attendances.
It may have merely been in the room in which he allegedly killed her... Spatter is a possibility here.

 

[kittythehare]

We don’t know where she is, and I don’t know how to spend the rest of my life without my daughter,” said Lifeng Ye, Zhang’s mother, her face tear-stained and voice trembling as she spoke through a translator. “I can’t really sleep well at night. ... I often dream of my daughter, and she’s right there with me. I want to ask the mother of the suspect, please talk to her son and ask him what he did to my daughter. Where is she now? I want to know the answer.”

Archived story from AP (2017) but worthy of a post, I think.
'How do I spend the rest of my life without my daughter?'

 

[kittythehare]

Archived story on FetLife-Website in Illinois kidnap case still advises on abductions July'17

 

[Hatfield]

We don’t know where she is, and I don’t know how to spend the rest of my life without my daughter,” said Lifeng Ye, Zhang’s mother, her face tear-stained and voice trembling as she spoke through a translator. “I can’t really sleep well at night. ... I often dream of my daughter, and she’s right there with me. I want to ask the mother of the suspect, please talk to her son and ask him what he did to my daughter. Where is she now? I want to know the answer.”

Archived story from AP (2017) but worthy of a post, I think.
'How do I spend the rest of my life without my daughter?'

That is so heart wrenching. Uggggggg

Ive come to realize that murder suspects that fight their case will hardly ever give up the location of the body even after being convicted. Its because they want to keep their chances of an Appeal working in the future. So most of them keep claiming innocence and they cant give up the location of the body if they keep claiming that and trying to appeal their case.

Unfortunately unless the Prosecutor is willing to make some kind of deal to get the location from the defendant then I am afraid this particular monster wont ever tell authorities.

And I get sick thinking of giving this fool any kind of deal.

 

[dm92]

I notice media are highlighting the baseball bat
Openings expected next week in Chinese scholar slaying trial
It is possible he used it to hurt or kill her but I saw nothing in any filing or report to suggest such an implement was used, UNLESS, it was what he used to initially disempower her just after he picked her up!
The reasons for my doubt about it being one of his chosen torture-implements is the huge variant in their sizes and weights and his record of body-building and gym attendances.
It may have merely been in the room in which he allegedly killed her... Spatter is a possibility here.

Remember with these filings, they are public records and available for anyone to read,, unless they are sealed by court order. As such, they are not going to give out details as to what happened unless they are critical to the legal argument being made -and if too many details need to be pointed out, they will ask for the document to be sealed.
They don't want too many details revealed, because they will find their way into the press and that will make it harder and harder for them to impanel an unbiased jury. Early on in the case, the government requested to file a document under seal so as to avoid public outrage toward the defendant. The more the public knows before the trial, the harder it becomes to try him fairly.

You might be right. It might just have spatter that tested positive for her DNA and that is why it is included as an exhibit. However, they intend to present evidence of torture that occurred prior to death, and they intend to prove to the jury that she died. It is hard to do that simply by presenting his own words on tape, especially when you don't have her body. However, if they have him saying he used something on her; and in the absence of her body, they have one of the things he says he used..... AND, lo and behold, it has blood and her DNA on it -there is solid, concrete evidence that confirms that he actually did what he says he did. I tend to believe this bat was used on her in the apartment, and that's why it is an exhibit.

It is possible he used it to hurt or kill her but I saw nothing in any filing or report to suggest such an implement was used, UNLESS, it was what he used to initially disempower her just after he picked her up!

What did you see in the filings that makes it more likely it was used to initially disempower her as opposed to torturing her or killing her?

Again, they don't come out and say things directly, but there are phrases used in filings that could suggest how the bat might have been used

"....the United States intends to present evidence of torture and severe physical abuse occurring prior to death.."

"Rape with permanent injury to the victim"

So maybe it was just up against the wall and got spattered, or maybe he used it on her. No way to know until next week.......

 

[kittythehare]

That is so heart wrenching. Uggggggg

Ive come to realize that murder suspects that fight their case will hardly ever give up the location of the body even after being convicted. Its because they want to keep their chances of an Appeal working in the future. So most of them keep claiming innocence and they cant give up the location of the body if they keep claiming that and trying to appeal their case.

Unfortunately unless the Prosecutor is willing to make some kind of deal to get the location from the defendant then I am afraid this particular monster wont ever tell authorities.

And I get sick thinking of giving this fool any kind of deal.

I wonder if he ever told anybody what he did with her remains?
I'm also concerned for his other victims, those we know about and those we do not.
Michelle may testify for the defense.
TEB- I'm not sure how she is or how the defense reporting her full name publicly last week affected her, her future and her life in general .
AP reported, last week she would testify'm unsure whether this report preceded the judge's reading of the list of 144 potential witnesses.
Previous media reports stated she would NOT be asked to testify.

I'd like to say the coming weeks will reveal a clearer picture of his character and personality, or many personalities but I'm not at all sure it will.
I agree with you regarding non disclosure of remains but I believe he also fancies himself of owning superior intelligence and wit than the FBI and the entire justice system.