Alleged Accomplice to Give Testimony in Murder Trial

Prosecutors indicated Monday that they will rely heavily on the testimony of an alleged accomplice who has been granted immunity when they begin their case this week in the murder trial of two men accused in a 1984 shoot-out with police in Chinatown that claimed three lives.

The prosecutors’ strategy was revealed as opening statements were presented in the trial of Hau Cheong (Peter) Chan, 31, of Alhambra, and Sang Nam Chinh, 21, of Rosemead.

Robbery Attempt

Both are charged with three counts of murder in the deaths of Los Angeles Police Officer Duane Johnson and two of the defendants’ alleged accomplices--Robert Woo and Peter Chin. Another police officer and a store employee were wounded in the attempted robbery of the Jin Hing Co., a jewelry store.

Because of the “special circumstances” surrounding the deaths, Chan and Chinh could face the death penalty if convicted.

The trial is being heard by two juries--one for each defendant. The unusual arrangement was adopted because of a confession Chan reportedly has made to investigators. Because a confession implicating a defendant cannot be admitted in the trial of his co-defendant, tapes of Chan’s confession will be heard only by his jury. This means both juries will be present sometimes, and only one jury will be in the courtroom at other times.

Superior Court Judge Jean E. Matusinka decided to not completely sever the cases because much of the testimony applies to both defendants.

Monday’s opening statements were made to the juries separately.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Larry Longo told both panels that he will call Thong Huynh to the stand to tell how the holdup at the jewelry store was planned and how, when those plans went awry, the robbery ended in a blood bath.

Called Getaway Driver

Longo identified Huynh as the driver of a getaway car in the crime and said Huynh was being given immunity for that offense and for three other robberies in exchange for his testimony.

In his opening statements, Longo said Huynh’s testimony and additional evidence will show that Chinh fired the shots that killed Officer Johnson and that Chan masterminded the holdup and was in the store when the robbery and killings took place.

But Leslie Abramson, one of the attorneys representing Chan, responded that the evidence will show that her client never entered the store.

“Peter Chan did not kill anybody,” she said. “He did not shoot at anybody. He did not wound anybody.”

The deputy public defenders representing Chinh chose not to make an opening statement Monday.