| For Immediate Release February 28, 2007 |
Contact: Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 |
MOTHER CHARGED WITH TRYING TO MURDER HER HUSBAND AND THREE YOUNG CHILDREN BY LIGHTING THEM ON FIRE WHILE THEY WERE IN BED
SANTA ANA – Charges have been filed against a mother for trying to murder her three children and husband by setting them on fire while they were in bed. Hyang Lee, 39, Orange, is charged with four counts of attempted murder with premeditation and deliberation and one count of aggravated assault. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. Lee is being held without bail and scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon, Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 1:30 p.m. in Department C-57, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
In the early morning on February 26, 2007, Lee is accused of taking her three children, ages 2 through 9, and placing them in bed with her sleeping husband. She is accused of dousing her four family members with lighter fluid and lighting a rolled piece of paper on fire with a long barbeque lighter. Lee is accused of then struggling with her husband, who had woken up, until he was able to put out the fire, take the lighter from her, and call the police.
On one occasion between March 1, 2006 and May 1, 2006, Lee is accused of getting into an argument with her husband. She is accused of taking a steak knife from the kitchen and swinging it at him, cutting his stomach multiple times.
Deputy District Attorney Barrie Pink of the Family Protection Unit is prosecuting this case.
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