Opening Statements Made In Fisherman's Wharf Merchant Murder Case
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- Opening statements began Tuesday in the case of a former Fisherman's Wharf merchant who prosecutors say killed two neighboring merchants in cold blood more than three years ago.
Assistant District Attorney John Rowland told the jurors that on January 30, 2011, Hong Ri Wu left his shop at 269 Jefferson Street at Fisherman's Wharf, went next door to a competing shop, shot and killed a 30-year-old woman— Feng Ping Ou and a 30-year-old man Qiong Han Chu.
One of the victims was shot four times while the other was shot once.
Prosecutors said when police arrived, Wu admitted to the killings and that he had been in an ongoing dispute with the neighboring merchants because he believed that his lease did not allow them to sell the same merchandise.
Rowland told jurors that after months of complaining to his landlady that he threatened violence.
Public Defender Sandy Feinland said his client was constantly badgered by his victims and that his blood began to boil. Wu had even said at one point that his brain had been "messed up for some time."
Wu did not appear in the Hall of Justice courtroom and the judge gave no explanation as to why. However, during pre-trial hearings, Wu repeatedly yelled and was at times uncontrollable.
After the murders, at one point, Wu went on a hunger strike and had to be hospitalized.