Accused Gunman Gets New Trial Date in Officer’s Killing
A new trial date was set Friday for Hung Thanh Mai, charged with gunning down rookie CHP Officer Don J. Burt in 1996. The case, which had been scheduled to start in April, now will begin Oct. 19.
The district attorney’s office is seeking the death penalty for Mai, who, in addition to first-degree murder, is charged with the special circumstance allegation of killing a peace officer.
Burt, 25, was shot seven times on July 13, 1996, in Fullerton after he pulled over a driver for a traffic violation. As Burt lay dying, the driver took off in the officer’s CHP cruiser.
Mai was ordered to stand trial last April following a preliminary hearing that included testimony alleging Mai’s involvement in a Vietnamese gang and a counterfeit check ring it allegedly ran.
A former associate of Mai’s testified that Burt was shot after he found a bundle of forged payroll checks while searching the car.
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