PHARMACY STUDENT FACES TRIAL FOR STRANGLING AND MURDERING MOTHER AFTER BECOMING ANGRY THAT SHE DISAPPROVED OF HIS STUDIES

For Immediate Release
Case # 08CF3622

 

 


March 4, 2010

Susan Kang Schroeder
Public Affairs Counsel
Office: 714-347-8408
Cell: 714-292-2718

Farrah Emami
Spokesperson
Office: 714-347-8405
Cell: 714-323-4486

PHARMACY STUDENT FACES TRIAL FOR STRANGLING AND MURDERING MOTHER AFTER BECOMING ANGRY THAT SHE DISAPPROVED OF HIS STUDIES
*Victim wanted her son to become a physician

SANTA ANA – A pharmacy student faces trial tomorrow for strangling and murdering his mother after becoming angry that she disapproved of his pharmacy studies and wanted him to become a physician. Son Richard Lam Nguyen, 31, Garden Grove, is charged with one felony count of murder and faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in state prison if convicted. Opening statements are scheduled to begin today, Thursday, March 4, 2010, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-44, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

The defendant is a graduate of the University of California, Irvine with a Bachelor of Science in biology. At the time of the murder, he was a first-year student at Ross University in Dominica, located in the Caribbean, studying to be a pharmacist.

Late on the night of Dec. 20, 2008, Son Nguyen is accused of being home with his 71-year-old mother, Nuong Nguyen, while on break from school. The defendant was living in a room that he shared with the victim in a Garden Grove home. The defendant is accused of arguing with his mother and becoming angry that she wanted him to become a physician and did not support his desire to become a pharmacist.

While arguing with the victim, Son Nguyen is accused of becoming enraged and strangling his mother to death with his hands in the bedroom. He is accused of leaving her 5-foot tall, 80-pound body in the room and sleeping in his car. The following morning at approximately 10:30 a.m., Son Nguyen is accused of calling the police to report that his mother had passed away.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Cameron Talley of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.

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