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Judge Orders Hmong Murders Suspects to Remain Jailed
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By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 5 years ago on
January 9, 2020

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Three suspects accused of conspiracy in the killing of four men at a football-watching party on Nov. 17 will remain in detention, a federal judge in Fresno ruled Wednesday afternoon.
Jhovanny Delgado-Marcelo, Pao Choua Vang, and Johnny Xiong were denied release by Judge Stanley Boone. The three face conspiracy charges related to the Nov. 17 shootings at a Fresno home near the airport.
Killed in the barrage of bullets: 23-year-old Xy Lee, 31-year-old Phia Vang, 38-year-old Kou Xiong, and 40-year-old Kalaxang Thao.
In previous hearings, the suspects all pleaded not guilty.
Three other suspects, Porge Kue, Anthony Montes, Billy Xiong, entered not guilty pleas last week to four counts of murder, and 12 counts of attempted murder. They face state charges at the Fresno County Superior Court.
A seventh suspect, Ger Lee, is in custody in Sherburne County, Minnesota. He faces an extradition hearing on Jan. 31. Lee is called the ring leader in a criminal complaint.

Judge Cites Flight Risk, Danger

Delgado-Marcelo, Vang, and Johnny Xiong appeared in blue prison uniforms from the Kern County jail, where they are being held. An attorney for Vang says it is not unusual to be held out of the area, based on federal contracts with local jails.
Boone held the three cases in consecutive order. He used similar reasoning to hold the suspects in jail, mainly he agreed with the U.S. government’s argument that they are a flight risk and a danger to the community.
The judge said he used other factors in his decision to keep the suspects held. He cited the suspects’ minimal family ties to the Fresno area, the circumstances of the alleged crimes, a lack of financial resources and employment, and gang ties.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Newman said that family of the victims were in court, but they declined to speak out of fear of retaliation. The family members declined to talk after the hearing as well.
Delgado-Marcelo, Vang, and Johnny Xiong will return to federal court March 4 for a preliminary hearing.

Crime Motive: Gang Retaliation

All of the accused are suspected of being members of the Mongolian Boys Society gang. The motive for their crimes, law enforcement said, was retaliation for a killing of a brother of an MBS member earlier on  Nov. 17. That is despite the fact that police said none of the victims were tied to a gang.
In subsequent interviews as part of the criminal investigation, a suspect said that fact didn’t matter, because at least one partygoer used to be affiliated with the rival Asian Crips gang.
Lee, Kue, Montes, and Billy Xiong could face the death penalty. Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp said the case meets the special circumstances standard of a capital case. She has said she will make a decision on whether to seek the death penalty at a later date.

Victims from the Nov. 17 Fresno shooting, from left to right: Phia Vang, Kalaxang Thao, Kou Xiong, Xy Lee. (GV Wire File)
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David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

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