Soon Ja Du Wiki, Age, Husband, Family, Biography and More – WikiBio
Soon Ja Du is a Korean woman who co-owns the Empire Hotel in Vermont Vista, Los Angeles. On March 16, 1991, Soon Ja Du shot and killed Latasha Harlins, a 15-year-old African-American girl, at a convenience store.
Wiki/Biography
Soon, Jadu was born on Saturday, December 27, 1941 (Age 79; as of 2020), located in Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea. Soon, Ja Du and her family moved to Los Angeles in 1976, when she was 35 years old. She graduated from a university in Seoul, South Korea, where she studied literature.
family and race
Soon Jadu followed Christianity. Soon, Ja Du and her husband joined Valley Korean Central Presbyterian Church in North Hills, Los Angeles, where they even became deacon and deaconess.
parents and siblings
Her father is a doctor and her mother is a nurse.
Relationships, Husband and Children
On Monday, December 15, 1958, Sunja Doo married Billy Shan Kido. The couple have three children; two sons, Joseph and Michelle, and a daughter, Sandy, who studied theology at Biola University in 1991.
Profession
Soon Ja Du started working as a sofa fitter and then a knitter at a garment factory in St. John Knits. In 1981, Soon Ja Du and her husband, Billy Heung Ki Du, purchased the Empire Liquor Store, a convenience store in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley.
Killing Latasha Harlins
On the morning of Saturday, March 16, 1991, Soon Ja Du shot and killed Latasha Harlins, a 15-year-old African-American girl, at the Empire Liquor Store in Vermont Vista, Los Angeles. Du reportedly claimed she saw Harlins put an orange juice bottle in her backpack and asked Harlins if he was going to pay for it, to which Harlins replied, “What orange juice?” So Du grabbed Harlins Lyns’ sweater, accused her of stealing, and snatched her backpack. In return, Harlins punched Du twice, knocking her to the ground. Harlins backed away, but Du angrily threw a stool at her, missing Harlins. Harlins then picked up the orange juice bottle that had fallen in the chaos, but Du took the bottle from her. Harlins then turned to leave, but Du took a revolver from under the checkout counter and shot Harlins in the back of the head.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kiw6Q9-lfXc
Two witnesses to the incident disputed Du’s claims and said Du never asked Harlins about her intentions, calling her a “bitch.” After reviewing footage from the store’s surveillance cameras, police concluded that Harlins had money in his hand and was going to pay for the drinks.
Trial and Sentencing
Soon Jadu testified on her own behalf, claiming she shot Harlins in self-defense because she believed her life was in danger. Du’s testimony contradicted two witnesses and video recovered from the store’s security cameras. The video exclusively shows Du shot and killed Harlins as she tried to leave the store empty-handed. On November 15, 1991, a jury found Du guilty and convicted Du of voluntarily shooting. Since Du was guilty of intentional homicide, the jury recommended a maximum sentence of 16 years for the crime. However, trial judge Joyce Karlin did not approve the jury’s recommendation and instead sentenced Du to five years of probation, 400 hours of community service and a $500 fine. The court said the crime was committed with extreme provocation and Du’s ability to act rationally in the circumstances was compromised by her past robbery experience. In July, following the 1992 Los Angeles riots, the Harlins received a $300,000 settlement.
Facts/trivia
- During the 1992 Los Angeles riots, Du’s store was looted and burned, and has never reopened. The property later became a market under different ownership.
- The LAPD’s ballistics report also noted that the pistol used by Du had been modified to require far less trigger pressure than a regular pistol.
- Joyce Karlin, while disagreeing with the jury’s recommendation of 16 years in prison, said,
Did Mrs. Du react inappropriately? Absolutely. But is this reaction understandable? I think so. Carlin added: “This is not the time for revenge… Whatever sentence this court imposes on Mrs. Du, she will be punished every day for the rest of her life.” “
- In 2020, Netflix released a documentary titled “Latasha’s Love Song,” celebrating the life of Latasha Harlins.
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