Son Testifies in Gang Case Despite Slaying of Father

The father of a gang member-turned-state’s-evidence was gunned down over the weekend in what investigators say was revenge or intimidation, but the son, Truong Dinh, testified in Van Nuys as scheduled Monday against the notorious Asian Boyz street gang.

Dong Dinh, 64, answered the door at his north San Jose home Friday night and was shot to death execution-style by an unknown assailant. Police said there were no witnesses.

The son, 23, is the key witness in the murder trial of seven alleged members of the feared street gang, all charged with murder, with five facing the death penalty in 25 killings and attempted killings. The last murder prosecution of Asian Boyz members was derailed after the key witness--also a former gang member--was slain the day trial was to begin.

While Los Angeles police have been closely guarding Truong Dinh, Dinh’s family had no protection. San Jose police said they had not been told of his role in the prosecution or the potential danger to his family.

“We did not have any protective measures in place at that time,” said San Jose Police Department spokesman Louis Quezada. “We had no idea that this trial was going on.” He said the department has since begun protecting the family.

Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Gil Garcetti declined to answer questions about the case, or confirm or deny the San Jose Police Department’s statement. The trial opened in Van Nuys last month with tight security.

“We don’t let witnesses get killed. We’re in the business of prosecuting bad people and protecting innocent victims,” spokeswoman Victoria Pipkin said. “I do want to make very clear that we take steps to protect our witnesses. I cannot discuss the details of this particular witness.”

“It’s extremely frustrating knowing that you’re up against an organization that has no moral fiber and that will do anything to discourage participation in the criminal justice system that protects all of us,” said San Jose Police Sgt. Gary Kirvy.

For nearly two weeks, the son has told jurors about gang killings, including an ambush on a rival gang and a series of running gun battles on freeways and city streets. Standing trial are Son Thanh Bui, David Evangalista, who was a college honors student, Bunthoeun Roeung, Sothi Menh, Roatha Buth, Kimorn Nuth and Ky Tony Ngo. They are the alleged leaders of the Van Nuys faction of the Asian Boyz.

Dinh’s murder is the second case in which the extremely violent Van Nuys gang is suspected of trying to derail a prosecution.

On March 23, 1996, the day before two Asian Boyz were to begin trial for murder, another gang member-turned witness was gunned down outside his home. The killing crippled the prosecution’s case because his testimony had not been preserved. Authorities said they were forced to strike a plea deal with the men, reducing the charges to manslaughter.

It was that murder that eventually prompted authorities to target the gang. By then, police said, the Asian Boyz had committed 13 murders and dozens of attempted murders, assaults, robberies and home invasion robberies in a one-year reign of terror that began in April 1995.

On Monday, a judge prohibited the defendants in the Los Angeles County crimes from having telephone conversations with anyone other than their lawyers.

“I wanted to make sure that there’s no messages going back and forth asking for witnesses to be killed. That was my concern,” Deputy Dist. Atty. Laura Baird said.