3rd October 2026 – (Dublin) An attorney for Shili Chen, the 77‑year‑old grandmother charged alongside her husband, 77‑year‑old Shouyong Zhang, with murdering their son‑in‑law, Jonathan McKinsey, has signalled a not‑guilty plea and began sketching a defence that casts his client as a frail, law‑abiding carer. Speaking outside the East County Hall of Justice after a postponed arraignment, court‑appointed lawyer Curtis Briggs said the delay would allow time to review evidence and described Chen as a devoted grandmother ill‑suited to custody. Prosecutors have charged both defendants with murder, alleging they lay in wait before the fatal shooting of McKinsey, 40, at Dublin Sports Grounds on Saturday, 26th September.
Briggs, who previously secured the acquittal of Max Harris in the Ghost Ship warehouse trial, rejected speculation that anti‑trans bias motivated the attack, saying the couple had been supportive, and instead pointed to acrimonious family‑court filings involving McKinsey and his estranged wife. He referenced claims in those records that depicted volatility and domestic strife, while noting the case remains at an early stage and that he could not discuss details extensively.
Authorities say witnesses saw the elderly couple take turns firing at McKinsey in the car park of the busy sports complex in broad daylight. The New York Times confirmed McKinsey was director of engineering for its Games division and had worked at the company since 2023. Both defendants were arrested shortly after the shooting and remain in custody at Santa Rita Jail as the Alameda County District Attorney pursues the case.
At Thursday’s brief court appearance, the pair requested additional time before entering pleas. Briggs said he intends to plead not guilty on Chen’s behalf at the next opportunity and indicated he will seek her release pending trial, arguing her age, slight build and lack of criminal history weigh against continued detention. Prosecutors have not disclosed a definitive motive; hearings in the related divorce and custody matters had been scheduled around the time of the killing.