Key court hearings begin in brutal Fresno mass shooting. Here’s why it could take weeks
Court proceedings moved forward Tuesday in the case of several men accused of a Nov. 17, 2019 southeast Fresno mass shooting that killed four people and injured six others, sending shock waves through the region’s Hmong population.
Defendants Ger Lee, 29, Anthony Montes, 29; Porge Kue, 28; and Billy Xiong, 27 are each charged in Fresno County Superior Court with four counts of murder and 12 counts of attempted murder.
The victims who were killed included Kou Xiong, 38; Xy Lee, 23; Kalaxang Thao, 40; and Phia Vang, 31.
The defendants are allegedly members of the Mongolian Boys Society gang and were carrying out a revenge shooting against one of its gang rivals, the Asian Crips. But police determined none of those killed were gang members — and they had simply gathered in a backyard to watch a televised football game.
If found guilty, the defendants could receive the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole. Meanwhile, three other defendants are facing charges in federal court.
Tuesday was the first day of preliminary hearings in the local case — the phase where prosecutors present their evidence, and the judge ultimately decides whether the defendants will move forward to trial.
Although a typical preliminary hearing in Superior Court can take about a day. Deputy District Attorney Kelly Smith, the prosecutor in the case estimated this preliminary hearing could take up to three weeks.
That’s because of the complexity of the case, the number of witnesses and the number of attorneys involved. Each defendant is represented by his own attorney and each will have the opportunity to cross examine every witness..
The first witness for the prosecution is scheduled to testify on Wednesday in Dept. 62. Tuesday was reserved for procedural issues and ironing out everyone’s schedules.
Judge Arlan Harrell also asked the defendants if they agreed to waive their right to a continuous preliminary hearing. Harrell is the
If Harrell moves the case forward to trial, jurors will hear from witnesses, victims and police about about the night the defendants allegedly ambushed the victims.
This story was originally published November 9, 2021 at 5:23 PM.
