Former University student Alan Yuan Chang pled not guilty Tuesday to a first-degree murder charge in the killing of his father, Jian Zhang. Chang confessed to killing the 47-year-old in January with a bowling pin but is arguing self-defense based on years of physical abuse.
Chang's attorney, Craig Cooley, contends that the father had an uncontrollable temper and beat his wife and threatened to kill Chang.
Chang initially tried to disguise the death as a burglary but was caught with stolen electronics in the car and eventually confessed. Prosecutors are trying to show that Chang's cover-up indicates he did not act in self-defense.
Chang was a first-year Echols Scholar in fall 2009 but is no longer enrolled at the University. His trial is taking place in Henrico County, and he could face life imprisonment if convicted.
-compiled by Kevin Mead
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