Father of Chinese scholar Zhang Yingying’s killer Brendt Christensen testifies in bid to save son from death penalty
- Michael Christensen told court of son’s childhood night terrors and his love of animals, as well as about his mother’s alcoholism
- As older man spoke, Brendt Christensen’s shoulders shook, and he covered his eyes with his hand
Convicted killer Brendt Christensen’s father took the stand in Illinois on Wednesday in an effort to save his son’s life, testifying about his son’s childhood night terrors and his love of animals, as well as about his mother’s alcoholism.
“I’m his parent, I have to be here,” Michael Christensen said. “I love him, nothing’s going to stop that.”
Christensen testified for the defence before a jury that will decide whether Brendt Christensen should be executed for the 2017 kidnapping and murder of Chinese scholar Zhang Yingying or receive life in prison. The same jury found him guilty of the crime last month.
The elder Christensen broke down when asked by defence lawyer Elisabeth Pollock if he had anything to say to the family of Zhang, a visiting scholar at the University of Illinois. As he spoke, Brendt Christensen’s shoulders shook, and he covered his eyes with his hand.
“I’m sorry my son was the cause of their pain,” Michael Christensen said.
