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THE DAILY ILLINI
MONDAY August 26, 2019
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871
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Vol. 149 Issue 1
Justice for Yingying Zhang
BY SAMANTHA BOYLE NEWS EDITOR
Two years after Yingying Zhang, a visiting scholar from China, went missing, justice was brought to her and her family this summer as the trial, U.S. v. Brendt Christensen began on June 3 at the U.S. Courthouse in Peoria with the jury selection process. Christensen, former University graduate student, was federally charged with kidnapping Zhang, resulting in death, along with two non-federal charges of giving the FBI false statements. The trial consisted of two phases: the guilty or not guilty phase and the sentencing phase. In the sentencing phase, Christensen possibly faced the possibility of the death penalty. The trial lasted almost two months as the final verdict was decided on July 18. Below is a chronological breakdown of significant dates of the trial.
Trial begins
A total of 477 people were sent a jury summons, but not all were called in. Two groups of potential jurors came in
every day until 70 were approved. Once the court had 70 jurors, the two parties of the case were able to strike out poten-
tial jurors until 18 were selected. Twelve of these jurors were sitting on the active jury and the other six sat as alternates.
Official jury seated
As opening statements for the first phase of the trial began on June 12, Christensen’s attorneys openly admit he is responsible for Zhang’s death but is pleading not
guilty because he is “on trial for his life.” They admitted that nothing they will say in their statements would deny Christensen’s responsibility. The prosecution
told the jury the story of what they believe actually happened to Zhang on June 9, 2017, saying she was kidnapped, raped, tortured, murdered and decapitated.
ernment. Some witnesses questioned included members of the University Police Department, Zhang’s fiance Xiaolin Hou, an employee from
the One North Apartment complex, a University professor, Christensen’s ex-girlfriend and more. Christensen’s defense counsel brought
in their witnesses after, as they tried to humanize Christensen throughout the trial to the jury.
On June 3, the court started its process in selecting a jury of 18 people for the trial. The 18 potential jurors were chosen and seated on June 11. Christensen’s lawyers do not deny he killed Zhang.
First witnesses brought up to stand
After opening statements on June 12, the first witnesses were brought up to the stand by the gov-
Closing statements parties rested their than two hours, finding if Christensen should be commence and verdict cases and gave closing Christensen guilty of all sentenced to life in prisfollows 90 minutes later statements. Once the charges. The sentencing on without the possibilAbout a week after the jury started its delib- phase began two weeks ity of parole or the death initial opening state- erations, it came back later. The jury listened penalty. ments, on June 24, both with a verdict in less to evidence and decided
Opening statements in sentencing phase start
returned for the start of the sentencing phase on July 8, they were asked by the judge if they had discussed the case in any matter, and none of them had. They were able to continue the process with
The Zhang family testifies in penalty phase
On the second day of Ye testified through a pre- Zhang, testified in person. the penalty phase, July 10, recorded video, but YinYingying’s mother, Lifeng gying’s father, Ronggao
As the jurors took a two-week break after the guilty or not guilty phase, they were not able to discuss the case or read about it in any way. As they
opening statements from both parties. Christensen’s attorneys continued attempts to humanize him to the jury, while the prosecutors had the burden of proof. The prosecutors
were required to prove a number of things, such as substantial planning and torture or serious phsyical harm to the victim, for the jury to be able to sentence Christensen to death.
Christensen’s family testify of him on July 15. Chris- out a life sentence. Their said Christensen’s mothin penalty phase tensen’s mother, her hus- testimonies demonstrat- er, Ellen Williams, when Along with other correctional officers and some friends, Christensen’s family took the stand on behalf
band, Christensen’s sister ed a family history of alco- asked how an execution and father all testified. All holism and mental health would affect her. “It would said they would still love disorders. be devastating.” and support him through“It would be horrible,”
Jury starts deliberating to decide Christensen’s fate
justice would finally be served. The prosecution firmly believed all the evidence it presented was enough to prove Christensen should be sentenced to death. The defense again mentioned it did not deny
Christensen’s responsibility in Yingying’s death but believed they gave the jury the necessary information to mitigate the death penalty, saying “the law is always satisfied with a life sentence.” After the statements, the
jury began deliberation. The jury would have to unanimously agree to sentence Christensen to death.
Verdict reached one day later
sion could be reached. A verdict was reached shortly after. The jurors were not able to unanimously agree on a sentence, therefore automatically sentencing Christensen to life in prison. His sentence was officially imposed the afternoon of July 18. Judge
James Shadid gave a statement from the court during this time addressing the Zhang family, saying he hopes the verdict can provide some comfort. “Your lack of remorse was shown again today,” Shadid said to Christensen, as Christensen did not make any state-
ments to the court or the Zhang family when given the opportunity. “(Even) 769 days after taking away Yingying Zhang’s life, you cannot muster one I’m sorry.” For two counts of false statements, Christensen was also fined $250,000.
Recovery of Zhang’s body unlikely
the public. In November, prosecutors were provided with this information “under immunity,” which kept it from the trial. According to a state-
ment, Christensen dismembered Zhang’s body and placed her remains in three separate garbage bags. He then disposed of them in a dumpster out-
side of his apartment, which was taken to a private landfill in Danville, Illinois, days after the initial kidnapping.
Yingying fund officially established
made by the Zhang family to honor and remember Yingying’s life. The fund will be used in the future to help international students and their families
when faced with sudden crises, as the Zhang family faced two years ago. “We believe this is Yingying’s wish, and this is the best way to celebrate and
honor her life,” said Ronggao, said in a statement at the press conference.
Closing statements for the sentencing phase began July 17. In its closing statements, the prosecution said on July 17 it had been 767 days since Zhang disappeared and
The jury could not reach a verdict the day deliberations began, so discussion continued a day later. The jury had a few questions for the court throughout deliberations, one juror asking what would happen if a unanimous deci-
Weeks after the final verdict, on Aug. 7, information about Zhang’s remains was released to
The University officially announced Yingying’s Fund on Aug. 19. The first donation to this fund was
KENYON EDMOND THE DAILY ILLINI
Rent remains costly, unaffordable for many
school year. “The average (for apartments complexes) is anywhere between 8-15% availability during the year,” Hannah said. Nick Seger, senior in Business, is living at Seven07 this fall. He said he chose the apartment because it is brand new in fall 2019, has high-quality amenities and provides discounts for signing the lease early last year. “Last year I lived in an apartment by First and Daniel Streets through the University Group, which was a good size but not clean and (had) no amenities,” Seger said. “It was cheap, too, but overall wasn’t the best living conditions.” With University housing pricing up to $10,000 or more per year, University students tend to search for other places to stay after their freshman year. However, rent prices for new apartments are gradually becoming more similar to the price of the University’s residence halls. Working-class or lowincome families in the area who need more affordable housing struggle to meet the high rent costs and expensive housing options. State Representative
BY GRACE MALONEY STAFF WRITER
Despite the numerous new apartment buildings in the Champaign-Urbana area, high leasing costs continue to be a problem for many in the area. According to an article from the News Gazette, “there are plenty of vacant rental units, but the rents for them are well beyond what many people can afford.” Esther Patt, manager of the Champaign-Urbana Tenant Union, said people earning under 150% of the federal poverty level are unable to afford rents in Champaign-Urbana. The Retreat and Seven07 are two of the new apartment and housing complexes that have been built over this past year. Jessica Hannah, leasing manager at Seven07, said the base rent for the apartment complexes ranges from $799-1,500. Hannah said Seven07 primarily houses students ranging from undergraduate sophomores to graduate school students. “We are an open housing option for anyone here in Champaign-Urbana,” Hannah said. “We just attract students because of the location.” She added Seven07 is currently at about 86% capacity for the 2019-2020
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