After facing a divorce, loss of custody of her kids, and criminal charges, Yue Yu appeared in court on April 18, 2023 for her arraignment hearing regarding accusations that she repeatedly poisoned her husband last summer, according to a Fox News report.
Yu is charged with three felony counts of poisoning and one felony count of domestic battery with corporal injury, Fox News says. Her attorneys requested a postponement to review evidence, which was granted. Yu is due back in court on May 18, 2023.
When Dr. Jack Chen, her husband, first became suspicious in April 2022 upon noticing a chemical taste in his mouth and when he kept falling ill with stomach issues, he set up cameras in the kitchen of the family home, says a statement from the Irvine Police Department (IPD).
The videos, dated July 11, 18, and 25, Yu is seen in her kitchen with a bottle of Drano and appears to pour some into a glass of lemonade which Chen later drinks from, Fox News says. On the same day he made a report to the police, he filed for divorce from Yue, and for full custody of their children.
Yu’s defense attorneys have accused Chen of setting up his wife in order to obtain a quick divorce and take their kids from her, according to a previous report from the New York Post. Yu’s current attorney, David Dworakowski, claimed that Yu was attempting to fight an ant infestation, using the lemonade as bait for the insects, and the Drano to kill them.
“Dr. Yu has been a physician for many years, has never been in trouble before and is a loving mom. We believe there is a sinister motive on the part of her ex-husband to take advantage of her in their divorce case,” Dworakowski told the Post earlier this month.
CBS previously reported that Yue’s former attorney, David Wohl, claimed that she poured Drano into the cups to prevent splashing while using the liquid for clogged drains.
The couple appeared in divorce court on April 11, 2023, the Post says. Yue has filed to have Chen financially support her, as she claims his allegations have prevented her from working since last year, NBC says. Chen said in the restraining order that he refused to post bail for her after her arrest when she called him from prison last year. She currently only has supervised visitation rights with the kids.
Chen also accuses Yu and her mother of being emotionally, verbally, and physically abusive towards the kids, NBC reports.
Fox News adds that Yu could face eight years in prison if convicted.
Comments / 0