Testimony from a jailhouse informant continued Tuesday in a preliminary hearing for six Santa Rosa men accused of murdering a witness near Jenner to prevent his testimony in another case.
The first of six defense attorneys began cross-examining the informant, called only Witness 7 in court, on Tuesday. Monday, the man testified that he heard one of the defendants make threatening statements about the victim's mother weeks before the killing.
Quentin Russell, 25, Preston Khaoone, 23, Tyrone Tay, 27, Boonlack Chanpheng, 27, and brothers David, 20, and Sarith Prak, 22, are charged with murder in the shooting of Vutha Au, 24, in a Blind Beach parking lot near Jenner in March 2008.
Prosecutors allege Au was murdered so he couldn't testify on behalf of his brother, 22-year-old Terry Au, who was allegedly kidnapped and beaten by a group of drug-dealing gangsters that included two of Khaoone's brothers. That case is pending.
The 31-year-old witness, an admitted Asian Boyz gang member for the past 17 years, testified Tuesday.
Under cross examination, the witness appeared to backtrack on previous statements. Monday, he said he saw Au in a vehicle with Tay and another man hours before Au was slain. Tuesday, he said he was unsure if it was the same day.
Today, defense attorneys are expected to question the witness about his numerous felony convictions. He is testifying under a plea deal the judge has kept under seal, although it apparently doesn't grant immunity for his actions in this case.
-- Lori A. Carter
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