Though 35-year-old Binh Thai Luc of SF was arrested in connection with the five homicides that occurred March 23rd in the Ingleside, San Franciscan remain shaken by the brutal crime. In response to that, SFPD Chief Greg Suhr has planned a town hall meeting for tonight to address public safety and the issues around the case.
Three victims were discovered at 7:45am on March 23rd when a family member with a key entered the Ingleside home. Two more victims were discovered in another part of the house.
Luc pleaded not guilty last week to five counts of murder and special circumstances alleging multiple murders, that he committed the murders in the commission of robbery and burglary, that he used a blunt instrument to kill the victims, and that he was lying in wait before killing one of the victims, 32-year-old Vincent Lei.
The other man killed was identified as Hua Shun Lei, 65, while the three women killed were identified as Wan Yi Xu, 62, Chia Huei Chu, 30, and Ying Xue Lei, 37.
Luc remains in custody in lieu of $25 million bail. The public defender’s office has filed an appeal to allow it, rather than private attorney Mark Goldrosen, to represent Luc in the case.
A judge ruled earlier that the public defender’s office had a conflict of interest in the case because it represented Luc’s brother, Brian Luc, in a separate case last year.
Goldrosen said today that San Francisco Superior Court Presiding Judge Newton Lam has not yet made a ruling on the appeal. He also said he has not yet received any evidence from the prosecution.
Authorities have not yet released a possible motive for the murders, nor what blunt instrument Luc allegedly used in the grisly killings.
Police also say that they’re still collecting information on the case. If you have any information on the Howth homicides, call the SFPD anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444 or anonymously text-a-tip to TIP411.
“It’s a very tragic event that took place, the homicides, and it unnerved a lot of people,” Sgt. Michael Andraychak told the Weekly. “This is an opportunity to meet with representatives of the community and to alleviate some of their concerns.”
The meeting starts at 5:15pm at SF City College’s Wellness Center Auditorium in Room 103 on Ocean Ave. and Howth St.
Limited parking is available behind the Wellness Center, accessible via Howth St.
Want more news, sent to your inbox every day? Then how about subscribing to our email newsletter? Here’s why we think you should. Come on, give it a try.
