Defendants Convicted for Murder During Burglary of Marijuana Grow Equipment

DATE:  December 10, 2019

CASE:  David Saechao & Lai Saechao (Case #18FE014155)

PROSECUTOR:  Deputy District Attorney Brad Ng, Gangs & Hate Crimes Unit

David Saechao and Lai Saechao were convicted by a jury of the first-degree murder of Guofang Wang.  The jury also found the special circumstance that the murder was committed during the commission of a burglary.

The victim operated an indoor marijuana grow. In June 2018, David Saechao and Lai Saechao broke into the victim’s house to steal marijuana grow equipment.  The victim was home during the burglary and was assaulted by the defendants.  During the assault, the victim bit David Saechao and scratched Lai Saechao before he died from multiple blunt force injuries and strangulation.  The District Attorney’s Crime Lab analyzed DNA from blood found at the crime scene and fingernail scrapings from the victim, which resulted in a match to David Saechao and Lai Saechao.

Both defendants face a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.  Lai Saechao is scheduled to be sentenced on December 27, 2019, at 9:00 a.m. and David Saechao is scheduled to be sentenced on February 28, 2020, at 9:00 a.m. both in Department 12 before the Honorable Maryanne Gilliard.

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