Orange County District Attorney's Office
SANTA ANA - A third-striker faces trial today for murdering a husband, wife, and their 6-year-old son in their Garden Grove home. Quang Van Quan, 39, Houston, is charged with three felony counts of murder with special circumstances for murder in the commission of a robbery and burglary. Quan also faces sentencing enhancements for two prior strike convictions for robbery and assault with a deadly weapon in 1990. If convicted, he faces a sentence of life in state prison without the possibility of parole. Opening statements are expected to begin today, Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010, at 1:30 p.m. in Department C-40, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
On May 26, 2006, Quan is accused of making several un-answered phone calls to Phuong Le, 30, a friend he had met in prison while both were serving sentences for robbery. Quan is accused of leaving a message for Le asking to stay at the victim's home for the night with the intention of gaining entry in order to commit a robbery, as Le owed him money.
On May 27, 2006, Quan, along with one or more unknown accomplices, is accused of murdering Le, his 25-year-old wife Ngoc Lam, and their 6-year-old son Tommy Lam in the family's home. The defendant and his accomplices are accused of stealing the victims' cell phones and laptop and fleeing the scene. The couple's 11-month-old baby girl was left alone in the home.
On May 29, 2006, concerned co-workers called the Garden Grove Police Department to request a welfare check after Lam had failed to show up for work, return their calls, or answer the door for three days.
Responding officers discovered Le's body in an office bedroom. His ankles and wrists had been bound together behind his back, underwear and pajamas were tied around his head, and he had been stabbed several times in the neck and head. Ngoc Lam's murdered body was found slightly covered by a pillow in the master bedroom. Her wrists and ankles were bound together behind her back, she had been stabbed several times in the back, and her throat had been slashed. Tommy Lam's body was found in his bedroom slightly covered by a pillow. He had been stabbed in the back and head.
Police also discovered the 11-month-old baby on the floor of the master bedroom. She was conscious but severely dehydrated, non-responsive, and lethargic. An "IOU" note written by Le in April 2006 was found inside the home indicating that he owed Quan $80,000.
Quan was arrested in Houston on July 12, 2006. The identities of his accomplices are unknown. Anyone with information regarding their identities is asked to contact Supervising District Attorney Investigator Helen Moreno at (714) 347-8492.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Scott Simmons of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.
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