Victim’s Family Accedes : Killer of Chinese Student Pleads to Manslaughter

A Van Nuys man pleaded guilty Friday to voluntary manslaughter in the Nov. 29 stabbing death of a UCLA student who was a citizen of the People’s Republic of China.

At his arraignment in Van Nuys Superior Court, Francisco Sanchez, 25, said he stabbed Feng Chen, 40, who was working as the night clerk at the Chateau Motel on Sepulveda Boulevard.

Sanchez, who lived at the motel, will be sentenced March 11. Prosecutors are recommending that he serve seven years in state prison.

Sanchez had been charged with murder. But, in a plea bargain with the district attorney’s office, he admitted guilt to the less serious charge of manslaughter in exchange for prosecutors recommending a lighter prison term.

Sanchez would have pleaded guilty last week, but Chen’s family had concerns about the plea-bargain arrangement at that time, prosecutors said.

Chinese law does not divide the act of killing into degree, as does U.S. law, officials said, and Chen’s family had trouble distinguishing between murder and manslaughter.

“They wanted to check with the family in China to see if they agreed with us,” Deputy Dist. Atty. John Spillane said. “They sent back word that they trusted in the judgment of the district attorney.

“Everyone in the family seemed satisfied that what we did was appropriate. They understand why we made the offer.”

Sanchez could have received 25 years to life in prison if he had been convicted of murder, but Spillane said he reviewed the case and doubts prosecutors could have proved the murder charge.

Chen was stabbed three times--in the face, neck and chest, prosecutors said.

The incident occurred about 4 a.m. after Sanchez went to pay back rent for the motel room that he shared with his fiancee, authorities said.

Sanchez asked Chen about moving to a room with cooking facilities, defense attorney Dennis Cohen said. The two men argued, then Sanchez stabbed Chen with a knife, Cohen said.

Sanchez carried Chen to the motel office, and a witness called police, Spillane said. Sanchez waited in the office until the officers and paramedics arrived, the prosecutor said. Chen was pronounced dead on arrival at Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys.

Sanchez, arrested at the scene, remained in County Jail on Friday on $250,000 bail.