Former University student Alan Yuan Chang was found guilty Thursday of voluntary manslaughter and unlawful wounding of his father Jian Zhang.
The following Friday evening, after three hours of deliberation, the Henrico Circuit Court jury suggested a four-year sentence for the voluntary manslaughter conviction and a $2,500 fine for the unlawful wounding conviction.
Before coming to a conclusion, the jury was deadlocked, almost ending the case in a mistrial. Originally, prosecutors had sought a first-degree murder conviction, but the jury ultimately decided on the two lesser charges.
Defense attorney Craig Cooley argued Zhang has abused his wife and threatened to kill his son. The jury concluded Chang acted in passion and reasoned history of abuse from his father contributed to his actions.
Prosecutors, on the other hand, argued Chang's story was fabricated, highlighting the fact he originally tried to conceal the death of his father as a burglary. They also focused on the attack, noting that multiple blows to his father's head with a bowling pin surpassed the force necessary to defend himself.
Henrico Circuit Judge Burnett Miller, III will formally sentence Chang Dec. 9.
-compiled by Shirley Park
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