However, investigators, including the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, have not yet revealed the motive or exact cause of death, even four days after the murders, which has raised questions.
Jianchun Li, a 40-year-old caregiver employed at the Happy Home Care for Elderly, an assisted living facility in Diamond Bar, faced an arraignment on murder charges at the Pomona Superior Court in Los Angeles County on June 28.
Li, who is being held in L.A. County Jail with a bail set at $4 million following the incident on June 24, was accompanied by his attorney and a Chinese interpreter during the court appearance.
The judge verified Li’s identity, including his name and age, and scheduled the next hearing for July 19.
“One person who observed the arraignment mentioned that Li did not say much during the arraignment and conversed with the interpreter in response to the judge’s questions, seemingly unable to speak English,” a source said.
According to the indictment disclosed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Li is charged with two counts of murder. The indictment specifically alleges that “Jianchun Li committed ‘malice aforethought murder’ in an unlawful manner, causing the deaths of the victims.” It further states that DNA and fingerprinting of the suspect will be pursued.
Prosecutors, in response to our email inquiries regarding Li’s motive for the crime and the causes of death of the victims, stated that they were “unable to provide answers to those questions at this time.” The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Division and Coroner’s Office also declined to comment, citing ongoing investigation.
Meanwhile, Happy Home Care for Elderly, where the murders occurred, is expressing concerns about the pressure from media attention. An acquaintance of the facility said, “The director and other officials have been deeply traumatized by the incident,” and added that they feel “intimidated by the continued interest and attempts of the media to contact them.”
BY HYOUNGJAE KIM [support@koreadaily.com]
