Deceased/Not Found IL - Yingying Zhang, 26, Urbana, 9 June 2017 #9 *Arrest*

[Webthrush]

<snip>....
dNA on the bat is dna on the bat but the source of the dna has not een ascertained.

didn't the DNA test come back as belonging to YY? My concern though, is that if he simply manhandled YY in the room and then picked up the bat he could transfer her DNA to it -- doesn't mean he ever hit her with it... I mean how do you bash someone in the skull with a bat and be assured no neighbor will hear it (apt. walls are usually a tad thin); or what if you miss a little and hit the wall or plumbing fixtures; just doesn't seem a likely action to take; so many quieter ways to kill, with all the knives available or smothering or drowning in tub.
There is a memorable scene in "American Psycho," however, of a victim being bashed in head with a hatchet as I recall.

 

[kittythehare]

didn't the DNA test come back as belonging to YY? My concern though, is that if he simply manhandled YY in the room and then picked up the bat he could transfer her DNA to it -- doesn't mean he ever hit her with it... I mean how do you bash someone in the skull with a bat and be assured no neighbor will hear it (apt. walls are usually a tad thin); or what if you miss a little and hit the wall or plumbing fixtures; just doesn't seem a likely action to take; so many quieter ways to kill, with all the knives available or smothering or drowning in tub.
There is a memorable scene in "American Psycho," however, of a victim being bashed in head with a hatchet as I recall.

Yeah , YY's DNA, I meant source as what part of her body it came from, what body fluids but that information may not be available. Could be blood, brain tissue, interstitial fluids, vaginal secretions... it simply did not specify

re sound, it's likely he gagged her nad if he brought it down on her head while she was lying on the bed it would not have made a very loud sound.
Other possibility for bat is that it contains contact DNA, was left lying near or under a pool of blood, got splashed, etc.
It is extraordinarily unsatisfactory.

I just do not see him cleaning the bathroom satisfactorily without a considerable amount of outside help.

 

[AnemoneBrown]

So BC was charged with kidnapping resulting in death. Correct? If so, the question becomes did the state meet the burden of proof to show BC kidnapped YYZ beyond a reasonable doubt (not the same thing as beyond all doubt)
- There's video of him picking her up (forensic)
- No one has heard from her since (circumstantial)
- He confessed to TB (testimony)
- There is blood evidence and her journal at his apartment (forensic)

When you put it together I think there's enough to prove this beyond reasonable doubt (although not beyond all doubt, but that's not the standard)

"Resulting in death" to me is the tricky one. Unless there was enough blood in that apartment that she couldn't have survived , I did not see much else presented proving beyond a reasonable doubt that she is dead.
- BC's recorded confession to TB
- Cadaver dog hit for a dead person in the apt.

Was anything else presented to support the "resulting in death" charge?

Now I get why some posters have said they are nervous. In Illinois, kidnapping is a Class 2 felony. Aggravated kidnapping is a Class X felony. For a Class 2 felony, the sentence of imprisonment is not less than three years and not more than seven years.

For aggravated kidnapping, a Class X felony, the sentence of imprisonment is no less than six years and not more than 30 years. Aggravated kidnapping, is when s/he kidnaps another to obtain ransom, inflicts body harm armed with a dangerous weapon and armed with firearms.

I hope the judge throws the book at him if worse comes to worse.

 

[kittythehare]

So BC was charged with kidnapping resulting in death. Correct? If so, the question becomes did the state meet the burden of proof to show BC kidnapped YYZ beyond a reasonable doubt (not the same thing as beyond all doubt)
- There's video of him picking her up
- No one has heard from her since
- He confessed to TB
- There is blood evidence and her journal at his apartment

When you put it together I think there's enough to prove this beyond reasonable doubt (although not beyond all doubt)

"Resulting in death" to me is the tricky one. Unless there was enough blood in that apartment that she couldn't have survived , I did not see anything presented proving beyond a reasonable doubt that she is dead beyond TB's testimony.

Was anything else presented to support the "resulting in death" charge?

I didn't see it and I'm all over it, but very tired too.

 

[Webthrush]

So BC was charged with kidnapping resulting in death. Correct? If so, the question becomes did the state meet the burden of proof to show BC kidnapped YYZ beyond a reasonable doubt (not the same thing as beyond all doubt)
- There's video of him picking her up (forensic)
- No one has heard from her since (circumstantial)
- He confessed to TB (testimony)
- There is blood evidence and her journal at his apartment (forensic)

When you put it together I think there's enough to prove this beyond reasonable doubt (although not beyond all doubt, but that's not the standard)

"Resulting in death" to me is the tricky one. Unless there was enough blood in that apartment that she couldn't have survived , I did not see anything presented proving beyond a reasonable doubt that she is dead( beyond BC's recorded confession to TB).

Was anything else presented to support the "resulting in death" charge?

bold added...
Main evidence for "resulting in death" is the response of the cadaver dogs (assuming it's accepted), but they simply indicate the presence of a dead person, NOT specifically who it is. So one could argue that blood evidence shows YY was in the apt. and SOMEone died there but we don't know who -- but no juror is gonna buy that argument.
I do think there's a real question of whether YY was tortured and treated in a heinous, grievous (whatever words the FBI used) manner; we apparently have only BC's own words for that conclusion, little other direct evidence. 'Kidnapping that results in death' is alone enough to apply the death penalty, but the Prosecution did seem to put a lot of emphasis on the aggravating factors that I don't think they've proven (beyond a reasonable doubt).

 

[AnemoneBrown]

OMG, of course. Yes, I forgot about the cadaver dogs. Unless the defense discredited the witness on the stand, we should be good.

bold added...
Main evidence for "resulting in death" is the response of the cadaver dogs (assuming it's accepted), but they simply indicate the presence of a dead person, NOT specifically who it is. So one could argue that blood evidence shows YY was in the apt. and SOMEone died there but we don't know who -- but no juror is gonna buy that argument.
I do think there's a real question of whether YY was tortured and treated in a heinous, grievous (whatever words the FBI used) manner; we apparently have only BC's own words for that conclusion, little other direct evidence. 'Kidnapping that results in death' is alone enough to apply the death penalty, but the Prosecution did seem to put a lot of emphasis on the aggravating factors that I don't think they've proven (beyond a reasonable doubt).

 

[kittythehare]

another document from defense dated 23rd. Response not viewable as yet.
here we go again

4. As we argued previously, such an argument would be completely improper because it impermissibly shifts the burden of proof from the government to Mr. Christensen, is wholly unreliable within the meaning of the 8th Amendment, rests on improper vouching/bolstering by a government agent, and is utterly irrelevant to the limited purpose for which the court originally permitted the government to introduce the statements (namely, Mr. Christensen's state of mind in making such a statement, irrespective of, indeed despite, the fact that the statements were known to be false and without evidence). Again, any hint by the government that Mr. Christensen, in fact, actually committed 12 other murders, as opposed to merely falsely bragged about such activity, would be so prejudicial and devastating to Mr. Christensen's fair trial rights and rights to a reliable sentencing proceeding, that the bell could not be unrung.

In Limine – #394 in United States v. Christensen (C.D. Ill., 2:17-cr-20037) – CourtListener.com
Response is in but not yet viewable.

edit- It appears as though they are attempting to edit comments to be given later in prosecution closing remarks, though the judge already ruled on this on Friday and he stated he would ask the jury to disregard any mention of the 12 others

 

[dm92]

This whole case continues to not
Make sense. BC is arrested 6/30/17 and they state “FBI presumes her dead”. They’re main reason for arrest was the tape at the vigil, where he states “ I carried her to my bath tub, and cut her head off “ but yet they took apart his bathroom and found NO DNA. Why is that statement allowed to stay in the evidence, but the 13 victims is not? Why is MZ testifying about knife sharpening? That’s literally the ONLY thing she asked him to do? BS. Why does BC open up so quickly to TB about his murder after only a 2 month relationship , but his wife/partner of 10 years knew nothing about it.


Why did Brendt claim he was “good at this” when the FBI clearly had the murder weapon, his car still impounded with the FBI, and even told TB “I know they’re following me “

Because in addition to being a cruel and sadistic piece of crap, he's also a dumb@ss...........

 

[trunkizback]

welll..here I go again... first off...I am staying with my original opinion on the FBI's handling of all of this...substandard at best.
I am a layperson as it comes to court type things...so much of this trial has made no dam sense to me at all.. I always assumed dna meant blood...I don't understand why whatever was texted from BC to MZ on that day is not available..do the people in court see it?
Why didn't the prosecution hammer on MZ at trial?? They had the right to.
Someone posted on here that they remember the FBI conducting all these searches. I sure don't. there was some searching for about a week or so, most initiated by the U of I and the Chinese populace. It was very frustrating..and here we are ..2 years down the road and it's still frustrating.
This entire thing has actually affected me on so many levels..I'm the oldest kid in a family of four kids..1 brother 2 sisters. I've always felt it was my job to protect them..further as a citizen of the USA , I just feel like I ( we, society, LE, idiotic justice system! ) failed at protecting this girl. And after failing there, we further can't even fulfill this families last wish to take some of her home.
I don't know what level the defense will stoop to on Monday, but it appears they can sink pretty low.
These clowns had better not muck this up.
whew. One final thought...the FBI has the authority to commandeer any and all video surveillance cameras at any and all locations.. how is it they have no idea where that Astra was for such a long time?
everyone say a prayer for YY's family..sigh

 

[Raptors001]

Yeah , YY's DNA, I meant source as what part of her body it came from, what body fluids but that information may not be available. Could be blood, brain tissue, interstitial fluids, vaginal secretions... it simply did not specify

re sound, it's likely he gagged her nad if he brought it down on her head while she was lying on the bed it would not have made a very loud sound.
Other possibility for bat is that it contains contact DNA, was left lying near or under a pool of blood, got splashed, etc.
It is extraordinarily unsatisfactory.

I just do not see him cleaning the bathroom satisfactorily without a considerable amount of outside help.

Didn't they find duct tape ?

 

[kittythehare]

welll..here I go again... first off...I am staying with my original opinion on the FBI's handling of all of this...substandard at best.
I am a layperson as it comes to court type things...so much of this trial has made no dam sense to me at all.. I always assumed dna meant blood...I don't understand why whatever was texted from BC to MZ on that day is not available..do the people in court see it?
Why didn't the prosecution hammer on MZ at trial?? They had the right to.
Someone posted on here that they remember the FBI conducting all these searches. I sure don't. there was some searching for about a week or so, most initiated by the U of I and the Chinese populace. It was very frustrating..and here we are ..2 years down the road and it's still frustrating.
This entire thing has actually affected me on so many levels..I'm the oldest kid in a family of four kids..1 brother 2 sisters. I've always felt it was my job to protect them..further as a citizen of the USA , I just feel like I ( we, society, LE, idiotic justice system! ) failed at protecting this girl. And after failing there, we further can't even fulfill this families last wish to take some of her home.
I don't know what level the defense will stoop to on Monday, but it appears they can sink pretty low.
These clowns had better not muck this up.
whew. One final thought...the FBI has the authority to commandeer any and all video surveillance cameras at any and all locations.. how is it they have no idea where that Astra was for such a long time?
everyone say a prayer for YY's family..sigh

Trunk, you might be able to open this, I cannot cos Europe.
I'm with you on most of what you say.
Reckon redactions were requested by degense, marital priv. , there were some arguments around the time she testtified in November, not sure how they concluded.
She must have stated she wanted them redacted because she believed it would help his case.
Deplorable. If that's the case, nobody would have seen them except prosecution who can't use them.

If there had been any evidence she had assisted him in any way, she would have been prosecuted immediately.
She had an alibi and it must have proved sound.

Again, I think few enough resources were allocated to this search, lotta shortcuts taken, will be won or lost on points of law and probable evidence, I would imagine.

If there is anything new on it, will somebody copy/paste please?
Reporter’s Notebook: Complete notes from the Christensen trial

 

[trunkizback]

OK...someone who knows more than me..will the closings be done today? Is the jury then sent out to deliberate? Are they allowed to just stand up and say...Hang HIM!!

 

[wary]

My belief is that the jury first has to come in with a Guilty, (or Not Guilty) verdict. Considering that the defense already acknowledged that he’s guilty, I’m not sure what’s going on. Maybe the defense closing will clarify their strategy.

It’s a federal case. Is there a separate mini-trial to determine death penalty or LWOP?

 

[kittythehare]

My belief is that the jury first has to come in with a Guilty, (or Not Guilty) verdict. Considering that the defense already acknowledged that he’s guilty, I’m not sure what’s going on. Maybe the defense closing will clarify their strategy.

It’s a federal case. Is there a separate mini-trial to determine death penalty or LWOP?

Yes.

 

[Niner]

Monday, June 24th:
*Trial continues (Day 9-Closing Arguments) (@ 9:30am CT) - IL - Yingying Zhang (26) (missing on June 9, 2017, Urbana; not found) - *Brendt A. Christensen (28) indicted (6/30/17) on kidnapping (Federal charge) resulting in death of Yingying & 2 counts of giving false statements to FBI. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA will seek DP.
Trial started 6/3/19 with jury selection & took until 6/11/19 to pick a jury. Trial should last about a week & a half (was 5 weeks previously). Opening statements expected to start 6/12 Wednesday morning. Judge expects a verdict between June 21 and June 24. If there ends up being a sentencing phase, judge believes it would start on July 8 so the 4th of July wouldn't interfere with the process. 12 jurors & 6 alternates. (7 men & 5 women).
Jury Selection Days 1 to 7 (6/3/19 to 6/7/19) & Trial days 1 to 6 (6/2/19 to 6/19/19) reference post #545 here:
Still Missing - IL - Yingying Zhang, 26, Urbana, 9 June 2017 #9 *Arrest*
6/19/19 Day 6: State witnesses: FBI Forensic Examiner Amanda Bakker. Terra Bullis (ex-gf of BC). Prosecutors play secret FBI recordings done with BC & TEB. Trial continues to 6/20.
6/20/19 Day 7: State witnesses: Terra Bullis. (Prosecutors continue playing secret FBI recordings including one from vigil for Yingying). FBI Special Agent Greg Catey (specialist in cell phones). FBI Special Agent Andrew Huckstadt (played jail phone call between BC & his wife). Closing arguments expected Monday (6/24) morning. Prosecution expected to rest their case tomorrow morning (6/21), followed by defense's case, including testimony from Christensen's wife.
6/21/19 Day 8: Defense witnesses: Prosecutors rest their case. Defense making third motion for mistrial (denied) but Judge Shadid did order a limiting instruction be given to jurors about any alleged previous victims. Motion for defendant's acquittal (denied), motion that the trial evidence was insufficient (denied), and motion for limiting jury instruction as to BC's state of mind (granted). Defense witnesses: FBI Agent Manganaro. Michelle Christensen, now Zortman (BC's ex-wife). Defense played part of the counseling center video, from March 2017. Taseff's Private Investigator. FBI Special Agent Huckstadt. (played hour-long video of BC talking to a woman at the UI counseling center). Defense team has rested its case after calling four witnesses. Christensen himself will not testify, telling the judge it was his decision not to do so. Defense also made another motion for mistrial that was denied related to the 13 victims claimed. The government does rebuttal. State witness: Special Agent Loren Moneypenny, from the Champaign FBI office (about the jail informant, Hill). Closing arguments are set for Monday, 6/24 morning at 9:30 a.m.

 

[tresir2012]

He was referring to hiding odies when he said he was 'good at this'
he was not engaged in a bDSM relationship with his wife, she testified.
She had her own BDSM thingy going with her workmate/partner. If you read the transcript of their texts to eachother, bdsm parlance, TB

seemed to prefer the more violent end of the sphere. It's possible he thought she would get pleasure from the telling, he knew it was unlikely Michelle would. He was also in a hurry to replace Michelle as provider general and he didn't want to get a job. It's also possible, if not likely that he was looking for a partner in crime to share his future victims. He suggested as much on vigil march 'lets follow her home'

I agree with you regarding bathroom antics discussed on vigil tape.
And even though we are doing this the hard way, depending on crumbs for information, we do have the exhibit list and it includes the forensic reports which prove this fact. No DNA.

Regarding the forensic reports of the bedroom, where there is DNA and blood, I was unable to get any kind of idea as to the quantity of that blood. Just presence.

It was under the carpet which might suggest that it was so extensive that it soaked right through the carpet.
The truth might well be that he soaked the carpet so much while trying to clean up that he diluted the blood considerable and it was the density of the washing rather than the bleeding that carried it through.


There was one thing that struck me regarding the forensic pathologist's testimony, she said she had only tested one third of the kitchen implements and when asked why, she said she was led by the agent that gave her the cutlery and the other untested materials.
That's pretty damning.

They still have killing and torture, from bedroom evidence. Probably. Possibly.
dNA on the bat is dna on the bat but the source of the dna has not een ascertained.

I thought they found YY's DNA on the bat? And her blood on the mattress?

 

[tresir2012]

So BC was charged with kidnapping resulting in death. Correct? If so, the question becomes did the state meet the burden of proof to show BC kidnapped YYZ beyond a reasonable doubt (not the same thing as beyond all doubt)
- There's video of him picking her up (forensic)
- No one has heard from her since (circumstantial)
- He confessed to TB (testimony)
- There is blood evidence and her journal at his apartment (forensic)

When you put it together I think there's enough to prove this beyond reasonable doubt (although not beyond all doubt, but that's not the standard)

"Resulting in death" to me is the tricky one. Unless there was enough blood in that apartment that she couldn't have survived , I did not see much else presented proving beyond a reasonable doubt that she is dead.
- BC's recorded confession to TB
- Cadaver dog hit for a dead person in the apt.

Was anything else presented to support the "resulting in death" charge?

Now I get why some posters have said they are nervous. In Illinois, kidnapping is a Class 2 felony. Aggravated kidnapping is a Class X felony. For a Class 2 felony, the sentence of imprisonment is not less than three years and not more than seven years.

For aggravated kidnapping, a Class X felony, the sentence of imprisonment is no less than six years and not more than 30 years. Aggravated kidnapping, is when s/he kidnaps another to obtain ransom, inflicts body harm armed with a dangerous weapon and armed with firearms.

I hope the judge throws the book at him if worse comes to worse.

He has admitted it on tape and his lawyers have admitted he killed her. The forensics prove it. Even his wife said he did it that's why she started sleeping in a separate bed and barricading her door. No doubt at all anywhere that I can see. I see your point about proving the kidnapping yet they have the video and he attempted it with the other woman that day also so that seals it in my mind. I don't think jury will be out too long IMO.

 

[tresir2012]

welll..here I go again... first off...I am staying with my original opinion on the FBI's handling of all of this...substandard at best.
I am a layperson as it comes to court type things...so much of this trial has made no dam sense to me at all.. I always assumed dna meant blood...I don't understand why whatever was texted from BC to MZ on that day is not available..do the people in court see it?
Why didn't the prosecution hammer on MZ at trial?? They had the right to.
Someone posted on here that they remember the FBI conducting all these searches. I sure don't. there was some searching for about a week or so, most initiated by the U of I and the Chinese populace. It was very frustrating..and here we are ..2 years down the road and it's still frustrating.
This entire thing has actually affected me on so many levels..I'm the oldest kid in a family of four kids..1 brother 2 sisters. I've always felt it was my job to protect them..further as a citizen of the USA , I just feel like I ( we, society, LE, idiotic justice system! ) failed at protecting this girl. And after failing there, we further can't even fulfill this families last wish to take some of her home.
I don't know what level the defense will stoop to on Monday, but it appears they can sink pretty low.
These clowns had better not muck this up.
whew. One final thought...the FBI has the authority to commandeer any and all video surveillance cameras at any and all locations.. how is it they have no idea where that Astra was for such a long time?
everyone say a prayer for YY's family..sigh

The ONLY person to blame is the himself. He tricked her into the car and then overpowered and killed her. He tried it with another woman first who saw thru him. No one else is at fault. Could it have been prevented? Well, if the evidence of his MH interviews are true and his wife knew too then authorities should have taken that more seriously. He will be convicted I am sure.
My thoughts are totally with her family now. Thank goodness they will have her diary and memories.

ETA.without the FBI and TB courage I don't think that the evidence (especially the broken wheel hub cover) would be strong enough to convict.

 

[kittythehare]

this might be a tad optimistic, at least 2 motion in limines before anything starts
Daniel Williams on Twitter

 

[kittythehare]

LIVE: The trial of Brendt Christensen, Day 9

A guilty verdict is expected, given that his lawyers admitted in their opening statement that Christensen killed Ms. Zhang.

If convicted, Christensen faces life in prison or the death penalty during a later sentencing phase of the trial, where lawyers for each side will argue to the same jury why Christensen does or does not deserve the death penalty.

The jury will also decide beginning today whether Christensen is guilty of two counts of lying to the FBI, as prosecutors say he initially told them he was sleeping or playing video games the day Ms. Zhang was last seen, and then that he let her out a few blocks away