Murder Suspect Pleads Not Guilty

One of two men accused in the execution-style slayings of a Vietnamese couple pleaded not guilty to two counts of aggravated murder Thursday.

Giao Ly, 21, was brought to Spokane last month from Connecticut after detectives finally received a break in the 9-month-old case.

His accomplice, Run Peter Chhoun, 23, is being held in California on multiple murder charges and is not expected to be extradited soon.

Ly and Chhoun are suspected of murdering Johnny Hagan Jr., 26, and his wife, Hong Nga Thi Pham, 23, last July.

Both victims were bound with telephone cord and repeatedly shot in the head. Hagan also was stabbed in the neck and Pham’s face was slashed.

Police believe robbery was the motive in the slayings, and prosecutors have listed it as an aggravating factor in their reports. Spokane County Prosecutor Jim Sweetser has said he may seek the death penalty in the case.

The men are believed to be members of an Asian gang, police said. Ly is being held without bail at the county jail.

, DataTimes