Okun-Wiese, in her remarks, said that though Williams' life had bumps, it played out much like any other youth. She was in band and drama, she had a strong core of friends, she dated, she rebelled, Okun-Wiese said. Manling Tsang Williams’ lover had told her he would end their relationship because she was burdened with a husband and kids. The woman had reportedly been “infatuated with” her boyfriend since their high school days. The injuries to Neal were far beyond what she imagined, despite knowing he was stabbed and cut with a Samurai sword 92 times. This is their tragedy too,” Jan said. “I don’t blame them for anything. I was sitting there, watching them at court, and I think they are there for the same reason: they have a need to know. What your child went through, what your grandchildren went through.”

When did it become OK in our society to to commit three heinous crimes, kill your children and your husband and to blame it on your mom?" Okun-Wiese said. "This case screams for the maximum punishment." It was only after being confronted by investigators with a bloody cigarette box that was found in her car that Manling Williams broke down and admitted the murders, Martinez said. Nelson was convicted in the stabbing deaths of fortune teller Ha "Jade" Smith, and her daughter Anita Vo. [36] On November 29th Pomona Superior Court Judge, Robert M. Martinez declared a mistrial after the panel announced that it could not reach a verdict in the penalty phase. The jury box was split 8-4 with the majority in favor of the death penalty.The defense didn't argue against Williams' guilt, but differed on the extent of which she is guilty. Defense Attorney Tom Althaus said Williams didn't premeditate the murder of her family and instead acted in a fit of rage. Althaus said there was something wrong with the family environment, and that, mixed with a deteriorating marriage, lead to Williams' rage.

On Thursday at the Pomona Courthouse, Deputy District Attorney Pak Kouch introduced the new jury - split evenly between men and women - to the Williams family. Samuels was convicted of hiring a hitman to kill her 40-year-old husband, whom she was divorcing. She was also convicted in the death of the hitman, whom she had hired. [40] Pity is not a trade off," Althaus said, often pausing between thoughts and briefly describing the death penalty chamber in San Quentin. "It is something you give for free, something that comes from your heart, that this woman has something worth saving. That's your choice, ultimately. To give her life or decide for her to go to that death chamber and have her family look in those windows and see her die." Manling agreed to go down to the police station for questioning. Once she got there she told deputies that she came home after going grocery shopping. She asked “Does anyone know if my husband is OK?”“I want my babies. Please let them be OK.” Manling was arrested on and charged with 3 counts of first degree murder. She was also denied bail. She confessed to writing a suicide note pinning the kids murder on her husband and putting it on MySpace. During the confession she saidThis is the person they want you to feel sorry for?" Okun-Wiese said. "The punishment should fit the crime." Her motivation, Martinez said, was a “narcissistic, selfish and adolescent” desire to start a new life with another man, free from the hindrances of family life. Manling Williams’ sister, Shun Ling Tsang, also urged the judge to spare her sister’s life and sentence her instead to life in prison without the possibility of parole.