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Man admits stabbing ex-girlfriend at WSU, on trial for 2nd charge

Du convicted of attempted aggravated murder in WSU stabbing case

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By Christopher Magan, Staff Writer Updated 9:22 AM Tuesday, March 16, 2010

XENIA — Chi Quang Du took responsibility Monday, March 15, for trying to kill his ex-girlfriend 13 years ago as she left a college library, but he wouldn’t admit to the same charge accusing him of attacking the man who came to her aid, his attorney said.

“I think it’s human nature to accept responsibility for your actions,” said Jay Adams, who represents Du. “He didn’t plan an encounter with this man at all. It is inconsistent with the state’s theory that he plotted and planned to kill this person.”

Du pleaded guilty to one count of attempted aggravated murder for stabbing Thuy Mai and slashing her throat as she was leaving Dunbar Library at Wright State University in 1997. He faces a maximum of 10 years in prison on that charge.

He faces the same charge involving Eric Borton, who came to help Mai.

“This male individual was essentially of no consequence to him,” Adams said.

Prosecutors have not offered Du a deal to plead guilty to a lesser charge, Adams said, and he isn’t sure Du would consider one. Jurors also will not be able to consider a lesser charge.

After a lengthy selection process in Greene County Common Pleas Court, jurors ended their first day touring the crime scene — the library and surrounding buildings and parking lots where police said Mai and Borton were attacked in 1997.

Each count of attempted aggravated murder carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence. Du could have to serve the sentences consecutively, for a maximum of 20 years, if he is convicted.

Investigators believe that after Mai and Borton were stabbed, Du fled the U.S. and lived on the run for more than a decade before he was apprehended in a Toronto suburb where he was managing a cellular phone store.

David Hayes, who with Cheri Stout, is prosecuting the case, declined comment on the guilty plea .

After opening statements today, March 16, the prosecution will begin calling witnesses from a list of more than 40 people. The trial is expected to last more than a week.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2342 or cmagan@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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