[Tlc] L-Hmong murder case

Thu Nov 29 08:35:39 PST 2007

FYI.
Best,
justin

2007-1128 - AP - Man gets 69 years for killing fellow hunter

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/11/28/hunter.homicide.ap/index.html?section=cnn_latest

CNN.com

Man gets 69 years for killing fellow hunter

* Story Highlights
* Prosecutors say prejudice led James Nichols to shoot and
stab Cha Vang
* Nichols told law enforcement officials he acted in
self-defense after Vang shot him
* Police recorded Nichols as saying that Hmong people are bad
and mean
* Cha Vang was born in Laos and came to the U.S. with his
family in 2004

MARINETTE, Wisconsin (AP) -- A white hunter convicted of
killing a Hmong man while both stalked squirrels was sentenced
to the maximum 69 years in prison Wednesday by a judge who
rejected his claims of self-defense.

Prosecutors said prejudice was James Nichols' true motive in
shooting Cha Vang and stabbing him five times in the neck.

He was recorded in police interviews as saying that Hmong
people are bad, mean and "kill everything and that they go for
anything that moves."

In court Wednesday, Nichols turned to Vang's widow, Pang Vue,
and said, "I am very sorry for what happened." She bent over,
put her face in her hands and began to weep.

Nichols paused, then added, "It has all been emotional for us,
and I am greatly sorry for that."

The 29-year-old Peshtigo man's apology had less effect on
Marinette County Circuit Judge David Miron: "Frankly, I think
it is too little too late," he said.

Nichols, a onetime sawmill worker, was convicted last month of
second-degree intentional homicide, hiding a corpse and being
a felon in possession of a firearm in Vang's death.

The body of the Green Bay man, a 30-year-old father of five,
was found hidden under a log January 6 in a wildlife refuge
where he and Nichols had been hunting separately.

The death rekindled racial tensions in northwest Wisconsin,
where a Hmong deer hunter fatally shot six white hunters
during a confrontation three years ago. Chai Soua Vang of St.
Paul, Minnesota -- no relation to Cha Vang -- is serving life
sentences.

In arguing for the maximum sentence for Nichols, prosecutor
Roy Korte called Cha Vang a quiet, kind and loving man killed
for "no good reason, other than anger and hate."

Miron said Nichols' actions were "very scary" and noted his
history of violence, juvenile record and previous conviction
for burglary.

"It tells me you are a dangerous person," the judge said. "The
community needs as much protection as it can possibly get. The
best we can do is make sure you can never do harm again."

Korte said Nichols has "essentially a life sentence."

Defense attorney Kent Hoffmann, who had sought a 15-year
prison sentence, said Nichols will appeal.

Sheriff's deputies arrested Nichols after he went to a
hospital January 5 with a .22-caliber bullet lodged in his
right hand and an injury to his other hand -- about the same
time members of Vang's hunting party reported him missing.

Nichols did not testify during his weeklong trial, but the
jury heard tape recordings in which he told law enforcement
officials he acted in self-defense after Vang shot him.
Nichols said the fight started after he told Vang to leave
because he was interfering with his hunt.

Nichols said he ducked behind a tree and took a "wild shot" at
Vang with a shotgun. He said Vang shot him again before
Nichols rushed him, took away his gun and stabbed him in the
neck with a pocketknife.

Nichols' father, Dan, told the judge he believed his son acted
in self-defense.

"I certainly would have defended myself as best I could, even
if it meant taking another man's life," Dan Nichols said.

Miron joined prosecutors in rejecting the defendant's version
of events.

"I believe he did fire a shot at you, but it was in response
to yours," the judge told James Nichols. "I am sorry, but I
can't believe anything you say as far as what happened with
this incident."

Vue, Vang's widow, submitted a statement that was read before
Nichols was sentenced. She called him "heartless" and said she
has found it difficult to perform even simple household duties
since her husband of 13 years died.

"I've been an emotional wreck and often time suffered from
blackouts because I cannot comprehend why James Nichols
decided to take the life of my husband," she wrote. "I see
myself stuck in a dark tunnel and I cannot see the light."

Vang's uncle Kou Vang, of St. Paul, said the family was "very,
very pleased" with the sentence but added, "It is of little
consolation to us.

"Mr. Nichols can go outside. He can feel the wind blow," Vang
said and broke into tears. "He can see his family. He can talk
to his family. But ours is gone forever."

Cha Vang was born in Laos, fled to a refugee camp in Thailand
and immigrated to the U.S. with his family in 2004.

Several hundred thousand Hmong fled Laos for the United States
after the communists seized control in 1975 following the
Vietnam War. Many settled in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

All AboutWisconsin • Vietnam

______________
Dr. Justin McDaniel
Dept. of Religious Studies
2617 Humanities Building
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA 92521
951-827-4530
justinm at ucr.edu