L.A. County Superior Court Judge Pamela T. Usher ordered the suspect to remain held without bail Monday for his trial in the February homicide of a California Institute of the Arts student.
Jack Minh Terry, 23, is facing a special circumstances murder charge that could make him eligible for life without parole, if he’s found guilty of murdering Menghan Zhuang, whose preferred name was Emily King.
“The court finds by clear and convincing evidence that no less restrictive condition or combination of conditions of release will reasonably assure the safety of the public or victim and the defendant’s appearance in court,” according to the minute order in Usher’s courtroom Monday.
The ruling mentions her consideration of the factors of the case, the defendant’s means, the protection of the public and the allegations and seriousness of the charged offense, among the factors considered, as well as the likelihood Terry would appear at his Dec. 10 hearing.
Daniel Perlman, Terry’s attorney, sought to paint his client as an Eagle Scout, member of a faith community and a recent college graduate who posed no flight risk.
An application for bail by Perlman in October, when he took over the case, noted the conditions at the aging Men’s Central Jail made it impossible for him to work with his client to prepare his defense.
King was scheduled to graduate earlier this year, and she was honored during CalArts’ ceremony. Her roommate found her lifeless body in the apartment they shared Feb. 4, after King had not responded to several messages.
The medical examiner’s report indicated King suffered multiple injuries, with court records indicating King had lacerations around her neck, as well as signs of blunt force trauma to her head and a puncture wound to her right ear. King and the suspect were involved in a dating relationship, according to evidence presented by the prosecution in court records.
A reward was offered for information leading to Terry’s arrest following a L.A. County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau investigation.
Sheriff’s Homicide Lt. Michael Modica said Terry was arrested Feb. 16, with assistance from the department’s Major Crimes Bureau, which surveilled Terry prior to his arrest.
He was ordered to be held without bail until the current scheduled date for a preliminary hearing, which is Dec. 11.
