LINGYANG Kong was sentenced to serve seven years’ imprisonment after he pled guilty to manslaughter on Friday.
Kong fatally stabbed a man several times on New Year’s Eve, and was initially charged with second degree murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, and assault and battery.
The Office of the Attorney General later requested the court to amend the information filed against Kong who was then charged with manslaughter only.
In his judgement and commitment order on May 20, 2022, Judge Joseph N. Camacho sentenced Kong to serve the full maximum of seven years’ imprisonment, with the first two years and nine months to be served day for day without the possibility of parole, probation, early release, work release, weekend release, home detention or other form of early release.
Kong was given credit for the 140 days he had already served. After serving his sentence, he will also be placed on three years’ probation.
In addition, “defendant shall pay restitution in the amount of $8,634.00 to the heirs, personal representative or assigns, of [victim] Songzhi Li, at a rate determined by the Office of Adult Probation,” Judge Camacho stated in his order.
“Restitution shall be paid, in full, no less than ninety days before the expiration of the Defendant’s probation period. The amount of any unpaid restitution shall be converted to civil judgment against the defendant and in favor of the heirs, personal representative, or assigns of Shongzhi Li,” Judge Camacho added.
The judge also noted that the victim’s family members were in court and were consulted regarding the plea agreement. They agreed to its terms, the judge added.
Assistant Public Defender Vina Seelam represented Kong while Assistant Attorney General Steve Kessel appeared for the government.
According to the amended information against Kong, “on or about December 31, 2021…the defendant…unlawfully killed Songzhi Li in a sudden quarrel or heat of passion caused by unreasonable provocation.”
Kong’s 53-year-old co-defendant and girlfriend, Lyuqin Yi, was charged with accessory after the fact.
According to court documents, Kong said prior to the incident, the victim, Songzhi Li, invited him for some drinks at a bar in Garapan.
Sometime after arriving at the bar, Kong said he got into an argument with the victim’s girlfriend.
Kong said he exited the bar to end the argument, but the couple followed him outside.
He said after Songzhi Li assaulted him and Kong’s girlfriend, Kong reached for the pocket knife in his right back pocket, unfolded it and thrust it toward the victim.
Police said the victim suffered from multiple injuries to his upper body with lacerations on his head, neck, and upper torso and puncture wounds to his left rib cage.
The victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital on Jan. 1, 2022, at 6:35 a.m. due to multi-organ failure.
