When it was over, you knew the jury got it right. Unfolding Tragedy Wisconsin does not have a death penalty. Within several minutes, eight hunters were shot; six with fatal wounds. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. If convicted, Nichols could receive a life sentence plus 39 years in prison. (AP Photo/Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, Emmalee Rathmann), Shooting victim Terry Willers hugs his wife, Patti, after talking to the media about the Chai Soua Vang murder trial Friday, Sept. 16, 2005, in Hayward, Wis. (AP Photo/Jean Pieri, Pool), St. Paul resident Chai Soua Vang is led from court in Hayward, Wis., following his sentencing Tuesday, November 8, 2005. Campbell says he's been impressed by how much time investigators and prosecutors from the state and county level have spent telling Vue, through interpreters, how the case is proceeding. There are two ways to hunt squirrels. Cha Vang was a 30-year-old Hmong man from Green Bay, who was murdered by James Nichols in 2007. Though the killings occurred about 50 miles southwest of the courthouse, residents here say the carnage has increased the already tense relations between locals in the predominantly white region and Hmong immigrants. The landowner confronted him and Chai apologized, asked for directions back to public land, and left. As the murder trial of Chai Soua Vang resumed Monday, Sawyer County Circuit Judge Norman Yackel agreed to allow two photographers into the courtroom as long as they made less noise and took fewer photos. Yackel described Vang as a time bomb ready to go off at the slightest provocation. Further, most mass shootings involve premeditation. Vang lived in Sacramento and eventually enlisted in the California National Guard. "I could guess probably, approximately. Willers was shot by Vang on Nov. 21. The Marinette County District Attorney charged 28-year-old James Nichols with first degree homicide, with being a felon in possession of a handgun, and with concealing a corpse. Terry Willers, one of the two co-owners of the land, left the cabin and saw Vang sitting in a deer stand. Soua Vang. Some families have named children in honor of those who were slain. Tuesday, prosecutors intend to put more witnesses on the stand who were on the property the day of the shooting. I drew my gun, and gave him commands to put his hands up and listen to my instructions. Though the term does not necessarily have a racial connotation, the defense argued that it did, due to the fact that Willers and the others did not know at the time that Vang was from Minnesota. Everyone deals with tragedy and its repercussions differently, and thats no different for the victims families. Phil Spector and the Murder of Lana Clarkson. HAYWARD, Wis. . As he neared the site, he and Hesebeck came face to face. . The homicide charges carry a mandatory sentence of life in prison, but Yackel could have set a parole eligibility date for Vang. A few months later, Xiong moved with the couple's five children to live with her parents in Milwaukee. [16][17], The criminal complaint states that Vang shot four of his attackers in the back, and Vang himself admits he shot one attacker in the back. Im sure, from all Ive heard, they were very close families and friends and I hope they only discuss how great those people were and how much love they shared. He cooperated. Investigators said they found one weapon at the crime scene. (Bob Crotteau) started yelling profanities at Vang, and apparently used some racial epithets., Culhane had a similar take. But other members of Willers' hunting party were on the way, and soon confronted Vang a few hundred yards down a trail. I feel that he did the best action a doomed man could do. 2023 Minnesota Public Radio | All rights reserved, Listen to an excerpt of Terry Willers' testimony. Among those killed were father and son Robert and . All I want is for them to learn the dangers of violent reactions.. Hunters Park, on the northwest side of Rice Lake, is dedicated to the deceased hunters. Vang, after reversing his blaze-orange jacket to its camo side, hid near a curve in the trail when he heard the ATV approaching. Shot once through Six were killed and two were left wounded. Shots zipped past over Hesebecks head. Chai Soua Vang (born September 24, 1968) is a naturalized U.S. citizen and a Hmong immigrant from Laos. The study concludes . Chai Soua Vang (born September 24, 1968), more commonly known as Chai Vang, is an American of Hmong descent who was convicted of first degree intentional homicide, having pleaded self-defense after allegedly being fired upon. Vang reloaded, approached closer as Crotteau struggled forward, and shot him again. body. Its pretty tough to imagine.. Lauren Hesebeck, a surviving victim, stated "Bob had said I'm going to go talk to him to find out who he is, why he's there, and make sure he doesn't, you know, knows that he's on private property and that he's not welcomed there. Soua Vang Obituary With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Soua Vang of Banning, California, who passed away on February 8, 2023 at the age of 79. Instead, witnesses said, Vang started walking away but turned and started firing, eventually emptying a 20-round clip from a Saiga rifle. As described in David Whitehursts 2015 book, Tree Stand Murders, Vang raised his rifle in one smooth, continuous sweeping motion as he circled right, kneeled, and aimed at Willers, the groups only armed person. By the end of the day, instead of returning to his home with his game, Chai Soua Vang was in police custody for the alleged shooting of eight . Chai Soua Vang, 36, of St. Paul, Minn., who is suspected of shooting eight hunters Sunday, is 5-foot-4-inches, according to a court document. "I'm afraid that we will have missed the boat in not addressing this as a hate crime because there have been numerous incidents before the Chai Vang incident two years ago; and between then and now there've been many incidents, particularly in the Wisconsin northern woods," Xiong says. Vang instantly turned toward the men on their machines and shot Roidt, who hit the ground dead, as his ATV, still in gear, idled forward. She was engaged. The people who were killed and injured were well known. Right now, we don't have the budget to translate the regulations," Xiong says. They testified that Willers was the only armed member of the hunting party, and fired a single bullet after he had been shot. Eight Wisconsin deer hunters were hunted down like prey by a stranger found trespassing on private hunting grounds near Meteor, Wisconsin. A diesel truck was now approaching from camp. Still, Kohn was not able to break new ground that would explain how he intends to show that Chai Vang was frightened for his life. Nothing that happened that Sunday in northern Wisconsins Blue Hills region was planned. His first marriage ended after he accused his wife of infidelity and pointed a loaded handgun at her. Whitetail hunting strategies for the next generation. He is currently serving 6 consecutive life sentences. Chai Soua Vang (born September 24, 1968) is a naturalized Hmong American from Laos who was convicted of murder, but claimed self defense. Due to pre-trial publicity within the Twin Cities and Duluth-Superior media markets, twelve jurors and two alternates were selected from Dane County, and transported by bus approximately 280 miles (450km) northwest to Sawyer County, where they were sequestered. "I'm certain that they will be adding that if it is appropriate and if it is something that's going to be provable.". They only talked a little about what happened. Vang said, You not dead yet? and raised his rifle to shoot. - Click to learn more.. Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. Why are we still having these debates? Find ratings and reviews for the newest movie and TV shows. But instead of heading east through the woods as directed, Vang followed a camp trail southward. The other three victims were Mark Roidt, 28, and Dennis Drew, 55, of Rice Lake; and Jessica Willers, 27, of Green Bay. He didnt resist. The news, analysis and community conversation found here is funded by donations from individuals. back 3 times. As this years deer season approaches, some residents say they are watching the trial and remain nervous about the outcome. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, D.C.s cherry blossoms coming early due to confusing weather, Biden rallies House Democrats to tout their legislative success to voters, Caregiver accused in Manhattan Beach child sexual abuse case believed to be in Philippines, Prosecution presents closing arguments in Alex Murdaugh murder trial, Before and after photos from space show storms effect on California reservoirs, Dramatic before and after photos from space show epic snow blanketing SoCal mountains, The chance of a lifetime: Five friends ski the tallest mountain in Los Angeles, Best coffee city in the world? Judge Norman Yackel ordered Chai Soua Vang, 37, to serve six life prison terms, one after the other . It includes a walkway that contains comments and names of donors to the project. Chai Soua Vang (born September 24, 1968), more commonly known as Chai Vang, is an American of Hmong descent who was convicted of first degree intentional homicide, having pleaded self-defense after allegedly being fired upon. But who was Chai Soua Vang and what led him to commit such a . "I don't think that we can begin to have a serious dialogue about racism and about racial hatred in these communities if we don't acknowledge that this played a role.". There were six hunters, including Terry Willers, then confronting Vang. Willers lost his oldest daughter and Bob Crotteau, his best friend and co-worker, and other friends. Further, none of the 83 cases listed from 1920 through 1999 involved hunters. by Bob Kelleher, Minnesota Public Radio. She was engaged. Echovita offers a solidarity program that gives back the funds generated to families. Rice Lake. Share Follow Report this obituary Events There are no events at this time. Make a gift of any amount today to support this resource for everyone. Meanwhile, Willers called the cabin around 11:30 a.m. to say he had evicted the tree rat. The elder Crotteau replied that he wanted to make sure the trespasser got the message to never return. I cant comprehend how much things changed because of that. Chai Soua Vang (born September 24, 1968) is a Hmong American from Laos who was convicted of murder. One of the wounded hunters died the next day, bringing the toll to six. He said he spent an hour there, looking for game and clues to guide him back to his friends. Brandon said he talked to hunter Lauren Hesebeck, who'd also been shot. It was particularly difficult for victims family members to hear Vang testify that several of the hunters deserved to die for the way they spoke to him. Terry Willers spotted Vang in the usually-unused treestand around 11:15 a.m. and called the cabin with his radio to see who was up there. He said Joe Crotteau stood in his way, while another hunter yanked the tag from beneath Vangs backpack and read it out loud. Campbell has served as an advisor to the United Hmong Center in Green Bay and assembled a Hmong advisory group for the mayor's office. He spent much of Sunday morning tracking and shooting at a doe in a public forest about 20 miles northeast of Rice Lake, Wisconsin. In both Wisconsin and Minnesota some people see Cha Vang's killing as part of the legacy of the case of Chai Soua Vang. Everybody whos wearing the gray shirt knows what happened, he said. Vang eventually came across another hunter riding an ATV (who had no affiliation with the victims), and this hunter offered to give him a ride, eventually taking him to Vang's cabin. He claimed self-defense. Three of the hunters were gunned down as they tried to protect themselves. Chai Soua Vang from Beyond Contempt True Crime on Podchaser, aired Thursday, 24th March 2022. Vang family members and friends joined them. the heart and a poison to the mind of the next generation to overcome. Xia Soua Chang was 85 years old when he recently passed on December 5, 2017. Chai Soua Vang shoots eight people on a hunting trip in Wisconsin in a contested dispute on hunting land Vang trespassed on. He is imprisoned for life at the Anamosa State Penitentiary in northeastern Iowa. An officer waiting for Vang placed him into custody and transported him to the Sawyer County Jail. Read Today's Paper Monday, October 3 Robert Crotteau climbed out of one of the vehicles, he said, and began yelling profanity and racial epithets at Vang. Can you tell me, on that day, did they deserve to die? asked Wisconsin Atty. During cross-examination, however, Vang repeatedly acknowledged that he knew most of the hunting party was unarmed. Chai Vang Death - Has Passed Away : Chai Vang Obituary - On Thursday, March, 18th, 2021, we learnt that Chai Vang passed away with loved ones left in agony. There will never be answers for all this, said Rena Einum, a student services staff member at Rice Lake High School, where donated funds were used to present six annual scholarships each of the past 10 years in honor of the hunters. Jessica Willers, 27, a nurse from He [didnt] have to yell at me.. death by Vang last year in a dispute over a deer hunting tree stand. Terry Willers said no one shot at Chai Soua Vang or physically assaulted him before Vang started firing at the group Nov. 21 in some isolated northwestern Wisconsin woods. Soua was born February 2, 1936 in Phoukhoune, Laos to. For the last 10 days he's helped Cha Vang's widow, Pang Vue cope with law enforcement and the news media. Judge Norman Yackel ordered Chai Soua Vang, 37, to serve six life prison terms, one after the other, guaranteeing he would never be freed from prison. Vang has owned a 1987 Nissan pickup, according to an online search service. The defense is claiming that Vang was acting in self-defense. His third spilled Hesebeck's guts, who fell stunned and still.[5][6][14]. Vang told the jury he feared for his life and began firing only after another hunter's shot nearly hit him. When Vang testified, he was not a good witness in his own defense, he said. People gather at a picnic in Hunters Memorial Park in Rice Lake, Wis., on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2006. They read aloud his number, and Terry Willers wrote the number in the dust of an ATV. The Saint Paul man is serving multiple life sentences for killing six hunters in northwestern Wisconsin's Sawyer County more than two years ago. Vang, a six-year veteran of the California National Guard, shot eight people while on a hunting trip in northern Wisconsin on November 21, 2004; six were killed and two were wounded. Acted out of self-defense?Vang testified he fired in self-defense after one hunter angrily shouted profanities at him and used racial slurs before another fired at him. Six were killed and two were left wounded. and her father Dennis Drew at the sentencing hearing of Chai Soua Not long after, a similar incident occured where an elderly Hmong man accidentally wandered into a white man's private property and the white man beat the elderly Hmong man to death. [1], Born in Laos, Vang and his siblings relocated to the United States in 1980 and settled in California. They also heard the judge during sentencing refer to Vang, a truck driver and experienced hunter who moved to the Twin Cities area from California in 2000, as a time bomb ready to go off at the slightest provocation. 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