Brendt A. Christensen, 28, of Champaign, will face the death penalty in connection with his charge of kidnapping resulting in death.
Christensen is accused of kidnapping resulting in death for the disappearance of visiting U of I scholar Yingying Zhang.
The notice of intent, filed this afternoon, was issued after a directive from Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
The notice lists several reasons for seeking the death penalty including:
- The death occurred in the commission of another crime, kidnapping.
- The crime was committed in a “heinous, cruel, or depraved manor”
- Christensen’s intent was premeditated, and planned to cause the death of a person.
- Zhang was vulnerable, based on her small stature and limited ability to communicate in english.
The ruling also takes into account the emotional and physical toll that the crime has taken on family, friends, and co-workers, as well as the fact that they believe Christensen would continue to be a danger, and he has shown a lack of remorse.
Christensen has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Zhang was last seen getting into a car that the prosecution believes was driven by Christensen on June 9th. Christensen was arrested on June 30th, and charged with kidnapping. Zhang has not been seen since, and her body has not been found. Federal authorities have maintained that Zhang is deceased.
The trial is scheduled to begin on February 27th. Lawyers from both sides expected that if the death penalty were to be sought, that a continuance would be requested, further delaying the trial.
Christensen’s lawyers also have requested a change in venue, arguing that the media attention make it impossible for Christensen to receive a fair trial in Urbana. They have also asked for the main charge of kidnapping resulting in death.
Judge Colin Bruce has yet to rule on those motions, but denied a defense motion to bar expert testimony from the trial earlier this week.
