Suspected Gunman Charged In Wis. Hunter Slayings
Chai Vang's Daughter Speaks At News Conference
POSTED: 11:57 am EST November 29, 2004
UPDATED: 5:54 pm EST November 29, 2004
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MILWAUKEE -- Homicide charges have been filed against the Minnesota man accused of fatally shooting six hunters and wounding two others in northwest Wisconsin.Chai Vang, 36, faces six charges of first-degree intentional homicide by use of a dangerous weapon and two counts of attempted first-degree intentional homicide charges in the Nov. 21 shooting rampage.
Three attorneys from Milwaukee will represent Vang, an immigrant from Laos who get life in prison if convicted. Wisconsin does not have a death penalty. The shootings began after Vang was caught trespassing on a hunting platform on some of the victims' land. In court papers, Vang said he opened fire after the others took a shot at him first and used racial slurs. But two of the survivors told authorities that Vang fired first. Vang is being held in lieu of $2.5 million bail. His attorneys, along with his daughter, spoke at a news conference Sunday.Vang's daughter spoke in her father's defense."My father, he is a great person, and he does take care of his family, and he loves his family very much. At this time, I really don't know what my father did. I haven't talked to him. I haven't had any kind of contact with him. It was a shock to me," Kia Vang said.
She said the truth about what happened in the woods last weekend will come out one way or another.Vang's lawyers said they are considering all possible defenses. They said they might ask for a change of venue since all the victims are from a tight-knit community in Rice Lake, Wis.Funerals are being held Monday for two more of the hunters who were killed. Jessica Willers and Dennis Drew will be laid to rest. Jessica's father, Terry, survived the shooting.Services were held for Al Laski, Mark Roidt, Robert Crotto, and his son, Joe, over the weekend.The Rice Lake business community is urging Packers fans to wear blaze orange Monday night to the Packers game at Lambeau Field to honor the fallen hunters.
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Criminal Complaint Against Chai Vang (pdf) 
Video: Victims' Friends Share Anger | Chai Vang's Story | Sheriff Gives Details | Initial Reports Three attorneys from Milwaukee will represent Vang, an immigrant from Laos who get life in prison if convicted. Wisconsin does not have a death penalty. The shootings began after Vang was caught trespassing on a hunting platform on some of the victims' land. In court papers, Vang said he opened fire after the others took a shot at him first and used racial slurs. But two of the survivors told authorities that Vang fired first. Vang is being held in lieu of $2.5 million bail. His attorneys, along with his daughter, spoke at a news conference Sunday.Vang's daughter spoke in her father's defense."My father, he is a great person, and he does take care of his family, and he loves his family very much. At this time, I really don't know what my father did. I haven't talked to him. I haven't had any kind of contact with him. It was a shock to me," Kia Vang said.
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Previous Stories:
- November 27, 2004: More Funerals Planned For Hunters Killed In Rampage
- November 26, 2004: Funeral For First Of Six Hunters Killed Held Friday
- November 24, 2004: Survivor Of Hunting Rampage Denies Shooting First
- November 23, 2004: Suspect In 6 Hunters' Deaths Says They Called Him Racist Names
- November 23, 2004: Relatives Of Suspect In Hunting Rampage Express Shock
- November 22, 2004: Sixth Deer Hunter Dies After Wisconsin Shootings
- November 22, 2004: Official Says Slaying Of 5 Hunters 'Absolutely Nuts'
- November 21, 2004: 5 Dead, 3 Injured In Hunter Rampage
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