Suspect Fights Execution Bid Accused Killer Of Couple Seeking More Time

Fri., May 31, 1996

One of two men accused in last summer’s executionstyle killing of a Spokane couple is asking for more time to finish a report opposing the death penalty in his case.

Giao Ly, 21, is charged with two counts of aggravated murder in the deaths of Johnny Hagan Jr. and his wife, Hong Nga Thi Pham.

Police say Ly and a fellow gang member bound the victims with telephone cord, slashed them with a knife and shot them in the head during a robbery at the couple’s North Side apartment.

While they haven’t filed paperwork saying so, prosecutors have indicated they plan to seek the death penalty against Ly if he is convicted, Superior Court Judge James Murphy said Thursday.

Knowing that, assistant public defender Kim Roberts asked for three more months to complete a detailed report, which she hopes will convince prosecutors the death penalty is not appropriate for her client.

The report will explore Ly’s childhood, criminal history and the Asian culture in general, including interviews with experts in that culture, Roberts said.

On Thursday, Murphy gave her until Sept. 11 to finish the report and set an Oct. 28 trial date for the double-murder case.

Ly’s suspected accomplice, Run Peter Chhoun, 23, is being held in California on multiple murder charges and is not expected to be extradited soon.

Ly is being held without bail at the Spokane County Jail.

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