NEW YORK—The man who allegedly killed his cousin’s wife and four young children in their Sunset Park apartment on Oct. 26 appeared in court Tuesday morning for arraignment, but was referred for a psychological assessment instead.
Mingdong Chen, the accused killer, stared straight at the judge during the entire hearing. Several relatives were in attendance, but it was not clear whether they were from the murdered wife’s side of the family, or if they were related to Chen.
Chen’s defense attorney Danielle Eaddy said doctors and social workers at Bellevue Hospital, where Chen is being held in the prison section, suggested she request a psychological assessment, to see whether Chen was mentally fit to stand trial.
Chen was to be arraigned Tuesday on five counts of murder in the first degree, five counts of murder in the second degree, and one count of resisting arrest. Chen was also charged with one count of attempted assault in the third degree, for allegedly assaulting a police officer who was translating for him.
Prosecutor Mark Hale said impartial doctors would carry out the psychological evaluation.
“This is not about whether he is innocent or not, instead this is just about his ability to be tried,” Hale said.
Relatives who attended looked emotional as they left the courtroom, still in shock over the tragedy.
The five victims were buried Sunday in a New Jersey cemetery, two weeks after their murders. The youngest child, 18-month-old William Zhuo, was placed in the same coffin with his mother Li Qiaozhen, 37. Linda Zhuo, 9; Amy Zhuo, 7; and Kevin Zhuo, 5 were buried next to them.
The outcome of Chen’s psychological assessment will be reported to the Kings County Supreme Court on Dec. 4.
Friends Read Free