First week of trial into 2022 Chinatown killings focuses on death of autobody shop worker

The first week of the trial for a man accused in the 2022 killings of two men in Edmonton’s Chinatown focused on the death of 64-year-old Hung Trang.

Justin Bone, 40, is charged with two counts of second-degree murder in the May 18, 2022, deaths of Trang in the washroom of an autobody shop where he worked, and of 61-year-old Ban Phuc Hoang earlier that day at an electronics store.

Trang was found by co-workers around 4 p.m. Several testified that he was lying face down and that they did not initially realize the severity of his injuries until he was turned over. 

Trang was transported to hospital and died of his injuries the following day.

Co-workers, police officers and a private security guard testified this week, detailing their accounts of the events leading up to and following the homicide.

CCTV footage, witness accounts

The court was shown photos of the scene, including a broken toilet tank. One employee testified the toilet had been functioning properly earlier that day.

CCTV footage presented in court shows Bone entering Albert’s Auto Body on 98th Street at 3:51 p.m. He left at 4:04 p.m., having spent about 13 minutes inside.

Anthony Hai, the owner of Albert’s Auto Body, testified that he was notified by an employee about an altercation and a stranger causing a disturbance. CCTV footage shows Hai and other employees walking toward the staff washroom.

Hai’s son, Adam, was among the first to interact with Bone. Adam Hai testified that he saw Bone standing in the washroom and told him to leave. A verbal altercation followed, during which Bone used profanities and was vulgar toward employees, Hai said

Witnesses testified that after leaving the shop, Bone was seen checking car doors in the parking lot while carrying a plastic bag and Heineken beer bottles.

Anthony Hai told the court he watched Bone leave the property, then got into his vehicle to keep him in sight while calling security.

Arrest and custody

Tyrone Jones, a security guard with Assertive Protective Services, testified that he received a call from Hai reporting an assault against an employee. Jones said he could tell from the distress in Hai’s voice that something serious had occurred.

When Jones arrived, he testified that Bone appeared agitated and was throwing beer bottles near the autobody shop. Jones said he stood about two metres away and ordered Bone to get on the ground and surrender. Bone did not respond, he said.

Employees called 911, which brought police Const. Victoria Hemming and her partner to the scene.

Hemming testified she was responding to a call of an aggravated assault involving a head injury and a possibly unconscious victim. Jones pointed out Bone as the suspect, she said.

Hemming said Bone was standing alone in the middle of the street, surrounded by parked cars and witnesses. Hemming testified she exited her cruiser, drew her taser and repeatedly ordered Bone to get on the ground. She said he appeared disoriented and it took 10 to 15 commands before he complied.

Hemming testified she read Bone his rights and noticed blood smeared on his cheek. When asked if he was injured, Bone told her he was not and said the blood was not his. Hemming also testified that Bone provided a false identity.

She said Bone declined medical attention but told officers he felt dizzy.

Bone was taken to the downtown police division and placed in a dry cell, which is a room without plumbing to prevent contamination or the destruction of evidence.

Forensic photographer Const. Jaime Resler testified that Bone refused to stand or comply with directions for photographs. She said Bone requested water in exchange for co-operation. After being given water by a detective, Resler testified Bone spit it out, claiming he thought officers were trying to drug him.

Photos shown in court depict Bone on the ground with his head lowered and blood visible on his face and hands.

The Crown alleges Bone intentionally caused a flood in his cell by activating the sprinkler system. Hemming testified Bone said he did so because he wanted water.

The defence said Bone had asked for a phone call during or around the time of the flooding but Hemming, under cross-examination, testified it was not possible to provide a phone because of the flooding incident.

The testimonies of Hemming and Jones are currently under voir dire, meaning the judge must decide whether their evidence is admissible.

Bone is undergoing a court-ordered mental health assessment, which is not expected to be completed until a later date.

The trial will next turn its attention to the death of the first victim, Hoang, who was killed inside his electronics store less than a block from the auto body shop.

The judge-alone trial is scheduled to continue until Feb. 20.