SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A man charged with taking part in the 2006 killing of a San Francisco Chinatown businessman with criminal ties has died while awaiting trial.
An attorney for Wen Bing Lei tells the San Francisco Chronicle his client had lung cancer that spread to his brain and spine. Mark Vermeulen says the 51-year-old Las Vegas man was granted compassionate release from jail and died at a hospital on July 8.
Lei was indicted for the murder of Allen Leung, who was shot at his Chinatown business by a masked gunman.
Leung was appointed to city economic task forces by two mayors but authorities say he also led a community organization that included drug dealers and other criminals.
Raymond “Shrimp Boy’’ Chow is serving a life sentence for ordering the hit.