Audio Man charged in hunter slayings makes court appearance (story audio) State Sen. Mee Moua talks about harassment of Hmong hunters (All Things Considered, 11/29/04) Photos Chai Vang in court Questions for Vang Vang says he understands the charges More from MPR Vang assembles defense team in hunter shootings case (11/29/2004) Wisconsin community says goodbye to three who were among six killed while hunting (11/28/2004) Of crime and culture (11/25/2004) Self-defense a tough sell in Vang case, law experts say (11/24/2004) Resources The criminal complaint against Vang (pdf) Wisconsin Attorney General's office Respond to this story Talk about this story in the MPR News Forum Submit a commentary Help us cover this story

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Man charged in hunter slayings makes court appearance
by Bob Kelleher, Minnesota Public Radio
November 30, 2004

Chai Vang's hearing was held in a basement classroom because the sheriff could not make the courthouse secure without massive efforts. (MPR Photo/Bob Kelleher)

The St. Paul man charged with killing six Wisconsin deer hunters made an initial court appearance on Tuesday. Wisconsin authorities filed charges late Monday against Chai Vang. Wednesday's hearing occurred in a makeshift courtroom in the basement of the Sawyer County Law Enforcement Center.

Hayward, Wis. — Sheriffs deputies led Chai Vang into the basement classroom, amid tight security and a small army of reporters. Dressed in a jail-issued orange jump suit, Vang wore handcuffs, and shackles on his ankles.

Sawyer County District Judge Norman Yackel opened the hearing, reading into the record why the proceeding was moved out of the nearby courthouse.

	Questions for Vang

"The reason that we're here in this location... is security. The courthouse and the courtroom cannot be made secure without massive efforts by the sheriff's department. And for this hearing I did not want the department to expend that effort," the judge said.

The courthouse was in use, however. Across the street, half a dozen members of the public watched the proceedings on closed-circuit television. Reportedly, some members of Chai Vang's family watched in another courtroom.

During the hearing, Vang sat between two of his three attorneys. Two special prosecutors from the Wisconsin attorney general's office sat at a table nearby.

Judge Yackel read through one of the six counts of intentional first degree homicide, and one of the two counts for attempted homicide. Vang is charged with shooting and killing five men and a woman, in an apparent dispute over a deer stand on private property. He's also charged with wounding two others.

The judge asked Vang if he understood the charges. Vang replied "yes."

Vang's attorney, Steven Kohn, said his client waved his right to a preliminary hearing within 10 days, then requested the hearing for a date in late December. Judge Yackel directed several questions to Vang to be sure he understood.

	Vang says he understands the charges

"Are you under the influence of any drugs or alcohol today that would affect your understanding of these proceedings?" he asked. "No, your honor," Vang replied.

"How far have you gone in school?" he asked.

"Two years college," was the reply.

"So, you can read the English language?"

"Yes."

"Have you been under the care of a psychiatrist or a psychologist during the past six months?" the judge continued.

There was a pause. Attorney Steven Kohn answered.

"Your honor, I believe that Mr. Vang is certainly mentally competent based on the discussions that we've had. He understands the proceedings," Kohn said.

Formal charges came late Monday, with a statement spelling out differing versions of the events that occurred in the woods near Birchwood, Wisconsin on November 21.

According to an investigator's report, Vang first said one of the hunters shot all the victims. He later changed his story, saying the other hunters harassed him, called him racial slurs, pointed a deer rifle in his direction, and then fired in his direction.

But two surviving hunters dispute that. Terry Willers and Lauren Hesebeck say Vang was not harassed. They say one of their party swore at Vang, but Vang fired the first shot. The complaint says four dead hunters were shot in the back -- one four times. It says most of the hunting party was unarmed, and that police found only one rifle at the scene.

Vang continues to be held on $2.5 million dollar. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for December 29. Defense attorney Steven Kohn indicated there might be motions coming seeking to move the case out of Sawyer County.

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