Dublin Police Seize Possessions From Wife of Slain New York Times Engineer

Police seized several possessions from the Dublin home of Candice Jang on September 29, three days after her estranged husband, New York Times engineer Jonathan McKinsey, was fatally shot, allegedly by Jang’s parents.

Dublin police confirmed Monday that investigators seized items while executing a search warrant at Candice Jang’s home on September 29 while investigating the death of her estranged husband Jonathan McKinsey, as SFGate reports. McKinsey was allegedly shot by Jang's parents in the Dublin Sports Grounds parking lot three days before Jang's belongings were seized.

Earlier reports had indicated that no property had been taken during the search, according to SFGate. A neighbor told the outlet they witnessed police taking Jang’s car and other belongings, including her phone. Police did not confirm whether Jang is considered a person of interest in the case, and she has not been charged with a crime.

Jang’s parents, Shouyong Zhang and Shili Chen, both 77, have each been charged with first-degree murder, along with a lying-in-wait special circumstance and firearm allegations. Prosecutors allege that the pair acted together when they shot McKinsey multiple times at close range, with witnesses and surveillance footage reportedly showing the shooting.

According to SFGate, Zhang and Chen remain held without bail at Santa Rita Jail and are scheduled to return to court October 19 for a plea hearing. Investigators have not publicly identified a motive.

As SFist reported previously, the killing came amid a contentious divorce and custody battle between McKinsey and Jang, who had been together for more than 17 years and share three children. Court filings contain conflicting allegations of abuse from both sides.

McKinsey accused Jang and her parents of physically abusing him and the children, including allegations that Jang once beat him with a frying pan and that her father struck him in the chest after his gender transition. McKinsey also accused Chen of using homophobic slurs against him and his son.

Jang denied his allegations and said McKinsey had threatened to kill her and her parents, as well as physically abused her and their son.

Chen’s attorney, Bay Area defense lawyer Curtis Briggs, has a history of representing defendants in high-profile cases, including SF Chinatown gangster Raymond “Shrimp Boy” Chow in his federal case.

Zhang is expected to be represented by a separate attorney.

Previously: Attorney For Mother-in-Law of Slain Engineer in Dublin Says Victim Was 'Extremely Rageful'