‘Shrimp Boy’ Chow takes the stand in his own murder trial

The defendant at the center of an organized crime investigation in San Francisco’s Chinatown on Monday acknowledged dealing drugs and getting involved in a street gang, but said he later renounced criminal activity and had nothing to do with a 2006 killing.

Raymond “Shrimp Boy” Chow took the stand for the first time in the racketeering and murder trial against him in federal court.

Prosecutors said that Chow had Allen Leung — the leader of a Chinese fraternal group with criminal ties — killed and then took over an enterprise that engaged in drug trafficking, money laundering and the sale of stolen cigarettes and alcohol.

The lengthy investigation included an undercover FBI agent posing as a member of an East Coast crime syndicate. It led to the indictment of more than two dozen people and the conviction of a state senator.

Chow appeared relaxed as he testified under questioning from his attorney.

He said that he ran an escort service, dealt cocaine and was involved in a street gang, but upon his release from prison in 1989 got jobs at a supermarket and law office. That did not last, he said, as he continued to face scrutiny from police.

Chow testified in English, although it is not his first language and he has used a translator during previous court hearings. His attorney said during opening statements that he wanted the jury to hear that Chow doesn’t always understand English and that his diction and tenses are not always used correctly.

Prosecutors have played numerous recordings of Chow’s conversations with the undercover agent as evidence.

Chow was convicted on a federal gun charge in 1995 and released in 2003 after agreeing to cooperate in another prosecution. He said he decided to renounce criminal activity after engaging in meditation and focused instead on writing his biography.

“I change myself,” he said. “I tell myself I’m not going to cross the line and commit the crime.”

Chow later said there were rumors in Chinatown that he had killed Leung, but that he was not involved in the death.

“I’ve been waiting for this chance in court to tell everybody I do not kill Allen Leung,” said Chow, his voice rising. “I am innocent on that. That’s a fact.”

The undercover agent, who testified earlier under the pseudonym David Jordan to protect his identify, said Chow tried to distance himself from any criminal activity during the probe. But, the agent said, Chow repeatedly accepted money after introducing the agent to money launderers.

The agent spent hours at fancy restaurants and nightclubs with Chow and people connected to him, recording many of their conversations. The case he built ultimately led to charges against Chow and more than two dozen others in 2014 and the conviction of state Sen. Leland Yee, who pleaded guilty to racketeering in July.

Chow’s attorneys say the FBI agent instigated the crimes for which people were later arrested and forced money on him, often when Chow was drunk.

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