A Southern California woman was arrested for the alleged stabbing of her spouse to death using a samurai sword. The severe domestic violence incident took place on July 18 in San Dimas. Today, we’ll look at the details of the case and depict possible domestic violence and murder charges from the point of view of a criminal defense attorney.

The Samurai Sword Incident

Weichien Huang has been arrested for allegedly stabbing her wife, Chen Chen Fei, to death with a samurai sword. On July 18, 2024, the San Dimas police responded to a distress call from a local residence. When the officers arrived, they found Huang, who was injured and holding the sword. Subsequently, they discovered the gruesome domestic violence scene, and Fei with fatal injuries inside the home. Fei was later pronounced dead. Fei’s mother, who was also attacked and severely injured, managed to escape and seek help. She is now in stable condition at a local hospital.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department announced Huang’s arrest for murder on July 24. Neighbors described the women as quiet and reclusive, adding to the shock of the violent incident. The case remains under investigation.

Domestic Violence – PC 273.5(a)

Domestic Violence, or California Penal Code 273.5(a), covers the willful infliction of corporeal injury on a spouse or cohabitant, resulting in a traumatic condition. In simple terms, this means physically hurting your partner would fall under this charge. Domestic violence law covers current or former spouses, cohabitants, and dating partners. If arrested, you could face up to one year in jail for a misdemeanor or two to four years in state prison for a felony.

In the above-mentioned samurai sword case in San Dimas, when Fei was found with wounds on her body allegedly done by her wife, it would’ve fallen under a severe domestic violence charge. However, as Fei succumbed to her injuries, this case will most likely be prosecuted under a murder charge.

Murder – PC 187

California Penal Code 187 defines murder as the unlawful killing of another human being with malice aforethought. This is obviously a lot more serious of a charge than a simple domestic violence one. For a conviction of murder, the prosecution must prove the act caused death, was committed with malice, and lacked lawful justification. Malice can be expressed (intent to kill) or implied (reckless disregard for life). Penalties for murder vary: first-degree murder can result in 25 years to life in prison, while second-degree murder can result in 15 years to life.

The recent samurai sword stabbing case in San Dimas, where Huang allegedly killed her wife, is a stark example of a potential PC 187 violation. If proven, Huang’s actions could fall under the express malice category, given the intentional use of a deadly weapon, and she could face severe penalties under California’s murder laws.

In conclusion, the tragic samurai sword incident in San Dimas exemplifies the severe consequences of domestic violence escalating to murder. The case underscores the gravity of charges under both PC 273.5(a) for domestic violence and PC 187 for murder. Understanding the legal intricacies and potential defenses in such cases is crucial. While domestic violence charges carry severe penalties, the transition to a murder charge significantly heightens the legal stakes and potential sentences. This case reminds us how important it is to deal with domestic violence early to stop such terrible things from happening.

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If you, or someone you know in the Inland Empire, has been accused of a similar crime, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 909-281-0391. We specialize in violent crimes in the Inland Empire, and have a proven track record of successfully defending numerous cases. The first consultation is free. Located in Ontario, CA.