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The in-laws of a New York Times executive have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder after allegedly shooting him during a supervised child visitation at a California park. Defense attorney Curtis Briggs confirmed Monday that his client, Shili Chen, entered the plea. Chen’s husband, Shouyong Zhang, also pleaded not guilty. Both are 77 years old and face charges in the killing of Jonathan McKinsey, 40, a New York Times executive and their son-in-law.
Defense Claims Fear, Not Premeditation
Briggs argued that Chen did not plan the shooting in advance. Instead, he told NBC Bay Area that the couple acted out of fear after witnessing something alarming during McKinsey’s supervised visit with his children. “My client was absolutely concerned for her own life and also concerned for her grandchildren,” Briggs said.
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According to Briggs, McKinsey had previously threatened Chen’s life three times through a hired killer. Because of those threats, the couple purchased firearms in March to protect themselves. Briggs maintained that his clients are not calculated killers. “They are not cold-blooded killers. They didn’t premeditate anything,” he told NBC Bay Area. However, he did not explain what the couple witnessed that led them to open fire. Zhang is represented by a public defender.
Alameda County prosecutors present a very different account. They say Chen and Zhang deliberately waited in a parking lot in Dublin, California, to ambush McKinsey. At the time, McKinsey was engaged in a bitter divorce and custody dispute with their daughter, Candice Jang. Prosecutors argue the attack was planned and carried out with clear intent.
Shooting Unfolded in a Crowded Park
Local police received multiple 911 calls starting around 3 p.m. on September 26. Terrified witnesses, many of whom had young children with them, reported the shooting at the popular park’s parking lot. Several witnesses saw a black Honda speeding away from the scene. They later identified Chen and Zhang as the shooters.
Officers pursued the vehicle and arrested the couple shortly after. During subsequent interviews with investigators, Zhang admitted to shooting McKinsey with his own firearm. Both Chen and Zhang were carrying weapons at the time of their arrest. The arresting officer noted that the couple “carried out this shooting in a crowded park parking lot with blatant disregard for public safety where several children were present.”
A Marriage Marked by Conflict and Court Battles
Court records spanning nearly a decade reveal a deeply troubled relationship between McKinsey and Jang. The two began dating in 2008 and married in 2011. Together, they had three children. Jang has not faced any charges in connection with McKinsey’s death.
McKinsey had recently filed for divorce and was scheduled to appear in court the same week he died. Both he and Jang had separately filed for restraining orders, each accusing the other of physical and mental abuse. Both also sought full custody of their children. However, an ongoing child abuse case against McKinsey limited him to supervised visits only.
At the time of the shooting, the children were living with Jang and her parents. McKinsey had previously faced two misdemeanor charges — cruelty to a child by endangering health and corporal injury to a child. He was released on $50,000 bail and was attempting to enter a mental health diversion program. Had he completed the program successfully, those charges would have been dismissed.
Legal Proceedings Continue
If convicted of first-degree murder, both Chen and Zhang could spend the rest of their lives in prison without the possibility of parole. A bail hearing is scheduled for November 4, followed by a pretrial hearing on November 23.
The Jonathan McKinsey murder case has drawn significant attention due to the family dynamics involved and the public nature of the attack. As proceedings move forward, prosecutors and defense attorneys are expected to present sharply contrasting narratives about what drove the elderly couple to open fire that afternoon.
