San Francisco, CA – San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced today that the Honorable Judge Harry Dorfman sentenced Zion Young (25) to a term of fifty years to life in State Prison following his conviction for a murder committed during an attempted robbery in 2020.
“Mr. Young’s sentence reflects the gravity of his crimes,” said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. “The taking of Kelvin Chew’s young life was senseless and left his family, friends and community grieving. Although I know nothing we do can bring him back, I hope that this sentence brings his family a measure of comfort and justice as they work to continue healing from this senseless tragedy.”
Mr. Young was convicted of first-degree murder and attempted robbery with an allegation that he personally and intentionally discharged a firearm that caused great bodily injury or death found true. Mr. Young also pled guilty in connection with charges related to illegally possessing a firearm on the date of the murder.
According to testimony and other evidence presented at trial, on May 7, 2020, at approximately 8:00 p.m., San Francisco Police found 19-year-old Kelvin Chew killed by a gunshot wound near the intersection of Colby Street and Felton Street in the Portola District. Surveillance video showed a newer model black Honda CR-V going up Felton Street before slowing and making a partial turn onto Colby Street. The vehicle then stopped and the front passenger, later identified as Mr. Young, exited. Kelvin Chew had been out for a walk after dinner with his family. He was carrying a cell phone in his hand. In the video, Mr. Young is seen running up behind the victim and pointing a firearm at him in an attempted robbery of a cell phone. In the next moments, Mr. Young fired twice at Kelvin Chew, killing him. He then ran back to the waiting Honda, re-entered the front passenger seat, and the car sped away from the scene. The day after the murder, SFPD received an anonymous tip that the shooter was Mr. Young. Subsequent investigation connected Mr. Young to the murder through video, cell phone location data, and ballistics and DNA evidence.
The driver of the vehicle used in the attempted robbery and murder, Fagamalama Pasene, was also convicted of first-degree murder and attempted robbery. He is still pending sentencing.
The case against Mr. Young was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Dane Reinstedt, with assistance from District Attorney Investigators Doug Keely and Glenn Pon and paralegals Jessica Diamond and Julio Flores-Guzman. Victim Advocate Peter Huynh worked closely with the victim’s family throughout the case and Maria Reynoso assisted as well. The Prosecution was able to present a strong case against Mr. Young and Mr. Pasene based on the incredible work of the SFPD Homicide unit.
“The murder of Kelvin Chew was an unbelievable tragedy,” said Assistant District Attorney Dane Reinstedt. “He was only 19 years old and had his whole life ahead of him. The impact on his family and community was immense and will always be felt. My thoughts go out to them, and I hope the conclusion of this case can bring them some small measure of solace.”
###
加州三藩市—三藩市地檢署檢察官謝安宜（Brooke Jenkins）今天宣佈，受尊敬的Harry Dorfman法官判處25歲的Zion Young入獄50年至終身監禁，需要在州立監獄服刑，罪名為他在2020年一宗企圖搶劫案中犯下的謀殺罪。
地檢官謝安宜說：「Young先生的刑期反映了其罪行的嚴重性。奪走Kelvin Chew的年輕生命實屬冷血行為，而且讓他的家人、朋友與社區深陷悲痛。雖然我們做什麼都無法讓他回來，但希望這項判決能讓他家人在這悲劇的復原過程中，帶來一點安慰與公義。」
Young先生被判一級謀殺與企圖搶劫罪名成立，附加控罪指他親自和蓄意開槍造成他人身體嚴重受傷或死亡亦被裁定成立；他也就謀殺案當日非法持有槍枝的相關罪名認罪。
根據在陪審團審訊中提出的證供及其他證據，2020年5月7日晚上約8時，三藩市警方在Portola 區的Colby街與Felton街交界附近，發現19歲的Kelvin Chew中槍身亡。 監視錄影顯示，一輛新款黑色本田 CR V 沿Felton街行駛，之後減速並部分轉入Colby街，隨後車輛停下，前座乘客（後來確認為Young先生）下車。 當時Kelvin Chew與家人晚餐後散步，手中拿著手機。畫面中可見Young先生自後方跑向受害人，持槍指向他，企圖搶走手機。接著瞬間，Young先生朝Kelvin Chew開了兩槍，將其擊斃，隨即跑回等待中的本田車，重新坐上前座，車輛隨後迅速駛離現場。命案發生隔日，三藩市警局接獲匿名線報，指稱槍手為Young先生，後續調查透過錄影視頻、手機定位資料、彈道與 DNA 證據，將Young先生鎖定與本案有關。
在這宗企圖搶劫與謀殺案中駕駛犯案車輛的司機Fagamalama Pasene，也被裁定一級謀殺及企圖搶劫罪名成立，目前正等待宣判刑期。
本案由助理地方檢察官Dane Reinstedt主導起訴，並由地方檢察官調查員Doug Keely和Glenn Pon、法務助理Jessica Diamond和Julio Flores-Guzman共同協助。受害者倡導員黃啟發 （Peter Huyhn）及Maria Reynoso在整個案件期間與被害人家屬緊密聯繫。本案得以對兩名被告提出有力起訢，實仰賴三藩市警局兇殺組卓越的辦案成果。
助理地檢官Dane Reinstedt表示：「Kelvin Chew被謀殺是難以置信的悲劇，他當時年僅19歲，未來充滿人生。這個衝擊對他的家人與社區來說是極其巨大，且不可磨滅。謹向他們致上關懷，也盼本案的判決能為他們帶來一點點撫慰。」
###