Dad Who Killed 4 Kids Wants Death Sentence

A man who threw his four children off an Alabama bridge to their deaths has entered a guilty plea but will face a jury because he wants the death penalty. Under Alabama law, a defendant must be found guilty by a jury in order to receive a death sentence.

Lam Luong's trial will begin Monday.

Luong, 38, is a Vietnam refugee who does not speak English. He wrote a letter to Judge Charles Graddick expressing his desire to plead guilty and be put to death. His court-appointed attorneys have opposed his efforts to plead guilty.

Even though he pleaded guilty, a jury will have to make a recommendation of death or life without parole. The judge, however, is not bound by the jury's recommendation.

On Jan. 7, 2008, after having an argument with his wife, Luong drove his van to the top of the 80-foot high Dolphin Island Bridge and threw his four children into the water. Over the next four months, the bodies were found off the coasts of Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.

The victims were Hannah Luong, 2, Ryan Phan, 3, Lindsey Luong, 1, and Danny Luong, 4 months.

See Also:
Dad Pleads Guilty in 4 Kids' Deaths, Wants to Die

Earlier Article:
Man Throws 4 Children Off Alabama Bridge

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