Jul 16, 2008 3:59 pm US/Pacific
O.C. Man Charged With Ex-Wife's Stabbing Murder
WESTMINSTER
A Westminster man was charged Wednesday with murdering his ex-wife, who police say was stabbed 28 times as the couple's 14-year-old son and her 8-year-old son witnessed the attack.
Hao Cao Le, 39, was scheduled to make his first appearance in a Santa
Ana courtroom this afternoon.
He is formally charged with murder and an allegation of lying in wait, said Farrah Emami of the Orange County District Attorney's Office.
If convicted of all charges Le could face life in prison without parole, Emami said.
Le is charged in the slaying of Nhu Hang Tran, who was killed Monday
evening, the day before her 32nd birthday.
Le reportedly killed his ex-wife -- they were divorced for eight years -- when she arrived at her apartment to pick up her sons.
Le met Tran when she pulled up outside and argued with her while hiding
a knife, Emami alleged.
He allegedly lured her into the apartment by telling her that if she wanted to take the children, she had to go inside and get them herself. As Tran
passed Le while entering the apartment, he allegedly grabbed her and stabbed her 28 times in the back and front, as the children watched from a nearby room, Emami said. A 19-year-old niece and 12-year-old nephew were also present during the attack.
Police said he left the knife lodged in her chest. He then called 911 and waited for police to arrive, according to authorities.
Officers and paramedics found Tran non-responsive, and she was
pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.
Tran's children were placed in the temporary care of Orange County
Social Services. The niece and nephew were released into the custody of their mother.
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)
