Trial of Justin Bone begins almost 4 years after Chinatown killings

The trial of Justin Bone began Monday for the 2022 deaths of Ban Phuc Hoang and Hung Trang in Chinatown. CTV News Edmonton's Amanda Anderson was there.

Almost four years after Ban Phuc Hoang, 61, and Hung Trang, 64 were killed in Edmonton’s Chinatown, the trial for the man accused of killing them is underway.

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Justin Bone is charged with two counts of second-degree murder in the attacks.

The two men were beaten to death in separate, unprovoked incidents while working at businesses in the area on May 18, 2022.

The deaths led to public outrage and initiatives to revitalize Chinatown and combat crime in the area.

Before the trial even began, Trang’s daughter gave a statement, saying they’ve waited almost four years for this day, adding the process is about honouring the victims and their families as well as their right to truth and accountability.

Bone pleaded not guilty to both murder charges on Monday.

A mental health assessment is still underway.

Court heard Trang was working at an autobody shop on May 18 when he was attacked in a washroom at the facility.

He was taken to hospital, where he died the next day.

Surveillance video was played in court that appeared to show Bone at the autobody shop.

Trang is shown with the man before going into the washroom area.

The man followed about 30 seconds later.

An employee at the shop testified through an interpreter, saying he heard voices coming from the washroom area.

He said he saw the stranger stomping on something near a washing machine.

Shortly after, he says he found Trang lying face down with blood on the floor and water flowing from a broken toilet tank.

The Crown says it intends to focus on its evidence and witnesses related to the autobody shop before moving onto the electronics store, followed by Bone’s time in custody after his arrest.

The trial is expected to continue until Feb. 20.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Amanda Anderson