Authorities allege they were robbing Ngor in February 1996 and shot him when he refused to hand over a gold locket containing a picture of his wife, who died during the genocidal reign of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. Ngor himself was tortured and imprisoned by the regime, which killed an estimated 2 million people from 1975-79. He came to the USA in 1980. The case has been complicated by suspicions within the Cambodian community that Ngor was killed because of his political beliefs or business activities. Hum maintains the motive was simply a street crime by a gang known for carjackings and home invasion robberies.
Defense lawyers say police arrested the wrong people.
There are puzzles about the case. No gun or witnesses have turned up. During a preliminary hearing, the prosecution's star witness recanted his testimony, saying police pressured him into stating that he saw the 3 young men running from the murder scene. But Hum said such recantations are common in gang cases and he expects the witness to appear at the trial. If convictions result, all 3 juries will have to remain for a penalty phase of the trial, since the charges carry a potential death sentence.