Charges Lowered in Accused Microwave Murderer Case

Ka Vang and Attorney Linda Parisi at a hearing last year.

 

 

During a brief hearing this morning at the Sacramento Superior Court, the Sacramento District Attorney's office said they will no longer seek the death penalty for accused murderer Ka Yang.

Today's preliminary hearing of Yang, who is accused of killing her six-week old daughter Mirabelle Thao Lao last March by microwaving her, the district attorney announced that they would instead seek life without parole for the suspect. When Yang was arrested last June, the DA's office had sought the death penalty for the Sacramento mother.

Outside the court Yang's attorney Linda Parisi said she was not surprised the charges were reduced as she had been in talks with the DA's office.

Because of the horrific nature of the allegations against Yang, who is ethnically Hmong, the case has drawn wide attention. During today's brief hearing several members of the Hmong community as well as Yang's parents were in attendance in support for the mother of five.

Through Parisi Yang's family and others declined comment. "These circumstance are so unique and difficult," Parisi said.

Aside from the announcement of the reduced charges, the preliminary hearing was continued until February 21 based on Yang's health status. At the time of her arrest last June, Yang was pregnant and subsequently gave birth in late November and she also suffers from epilepsy.

"Ms. Yang's health is not good," Parisi said. "We hope her health will be better."