HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 09-30 Minnesota's oldest murder defendant, 84, dies before sentencing PIONEER PRESS Minnesota's oldest murder defendant, 84, dies days before sentencing - Tw... Page 1 of 1
Minnesota's oldest murder defendant, 84, dies days before sentencing
Updated:09/30/2014 06:35:51 AM CDT TwinCities.com
The oldest person believed charged with murder in Minnesota has died in St. Paul --
nine days before he was to be sentenced for killing his son.
, ::: - - ;. Pang Vang, 84, of Maplewood was transferred to Regions Hospital from his Ramsey
... County jail cell and died Monday, according to his attorney, Nicole Kubista.
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'�_ When he last appeared in Ramsey County District Court on Aug. 7, he entered using a
-_ -' walker and sat in a chair during the hearing. He pleaded guilty that day, admitting that
he fatally shot his son after the younger man demanded he move out
Pang Vang told the court via an interpreter that his wife said March 24 that she wanted a divorce. They
argued in the kitchen of the house in the 1800 block of East County Road B. Then their son, Chue Vang,
intervened.
"So I shot him," Pang Vang said.
About three days earlier, they had argued about cable TV, he said.
His son owned the home and didn't want to install cable, Pang Vang had told police.
"I wanted to watch it," Pang Vang said. "He told me that, 'Everything costs money, Dad.' He didn't say it
nice to me. He said horrible words to me."
Chue Vang, 36, was shot in the chest. He died at his home.
Pang Vang pleaded guilty to second-degree intentional murder. State sentencing guidelines call for a
prison term of about 22 to 30 years in prison, but the defense had planned to ask for leniency. His
sentencing was scheduled Oct. 8.
Pang Vang is the oldest person charged with murder in Minnesota since the state system began tracking
records in the 1970s. However, some counties did not join the system until the 1980s, according to a
spokesman with the state judicial branch.
Once the Ramsey County attorney's office confirms the death, it will move to dismiss the case, according
to spokesman Dennis Gerhardstein.
"Pang Vang left behind a family and community that will struggle with his legacy," Kubista said.
"He wanted to be remembered for his role as a fighter in the CIA's 'Secret Army' in Laos. However deeply
flawed and troubled he was, he was proud of his family and his heritage, and wanted them to be proud of
him. His role in the death of his son will forever complicate his memory."
Emily Gurnon can be reached at 651-228-5522. Follow her at twitter.com/EmilyGurnon.
http://www.twincities.com/News/Breaking/ci_26629687/Minnesotas-oldest-... 9/30/2014