Mother-in-Law Accused of Killing New York Times Executive Claims He Threatened to Hire a Hitman to Kill Her

A shocking murder case in California has taken another dramatic turn after the attorney for a 77-year-old woman accused of killing her son-in-law claimed that the victim had previously threatened to have her murdered by a hired gunman.

Shili Chen and her husband, Shouyong Zhang, both 77, are accused of fatally shooting Jonathan McKinsey, 40, an engineering director for The New York Times Games division. The shooting occurred on September 26, 2026, in the parking lot of a sports complex in Dublin, California, where children and families were present.

According to the defense attorney, Chen feared for her life and had allegedly been threatened by McKinsey on multiple occasions. Her lawyer claimed that one threat involved hiring a hitman and said Chen purchased a firearm earlier this year because she was afraid for her safety.

The couple’s attorney has argued that the shooting was not premeditated and that the defendants were concerned about the safety of their grandchildren. However, prosecutors allege that Chen and Zhang acted together and waited for an opportunity to shoot McKinsey. Authorities have not publicly established a motive for the killing.

The case unfolded amid a bitter divorce and child-custody dispute between McKinsey and his estranged wife, Candice Jang, Chen and Zhang’s daughter. Court documents reveal that family members had made competing allegations of domestic abuse, adding another layer of complexity to the investigation.

Both Chen and Zhang have pleaded not guilty to murder charges. The claims that McKinsey threatened Chen, including the alleged hitman threat, remain allegations made by the defense and have not been established in court.

A case filled with conflicting accusations: Prosecutors allege a planned killing, while the defense argues that the defendants feared for their safety. The court proceedings will determine what the evidence ultimately shows.

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