A defense attorney has stated that the daughter of the elderly couple accused of murdering their transgender former son-in-law is not implicated in the shooting incident.
Candice Jang, 47, who has three children, spoke with police after the tragic event. Her attorney, Curtis Briggs, representing her mother Shili Chen, 77, expressed skepticism about Jang’s involvement, saying, “I don’t think she’s involved in the case.” However, he did mention that “she’s technically under investigation.”
Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Jang’s townhome shortly after her ex-husband Jonathan McKinsey, a 40-year-old tech executive, was killed in Dublin, California. They seized various items, including her computer and a Lexus SUV.
Chen and her husband, Shouyoung Zhang—both 77—were arrested shortly after the shooting of McKinsey, which authorities described as an execution-style incident. McKinsey had just finished a supervised visit with his children, which took place in a public park, according to Briggs.
Briggs explained that the shooting occurred just as McKinsey was returning to his vehicle, with Jang having already left with the children. Not long after, McKinsey was found mortally wounded. Witnesses reported seeing the elderly couple taking turns firing at him, and both have pleaded not guilty.
The exact sequence of events surrounding the shooting remains unclear, but Briggs indicated that his client’s family feared for their safety. He also revealed that Chen had been in possession of a firearm for self-defense purposes, prompted by concerns regarding McKinsey’s threats against her and her family. This included a chilling claim that he once threatened to hire someone to kill her.
McKinsey’s alleged history of emotional and physical abuse is highlighted in divorce filings made by Jang, who expressed a significant fear of him. Briggs described McKinsey as having a troubling pattern of violence over the last decade and a half, noting incidents of intimidation and threats directed at Chen and her family.
While Briggs was visiting Chen in jail, he characterized her as anxious and scared for her children, emphasizing the ongoing fear stemming from McKinsey’s family. He is currently reviewing evidence provided by prosecutors, which includes numerous videos and photographs related to the case. He remarked on the overall sadness surrounding the situation, as it reflects the pain endured by the victims’ families.
