Lam Luong Gets The Death Penalty

Alabama Mobile It took the jury about an hour to recommend Lam Luong die for throwing his four kids off the Dauphin Island Bridge in January 2008.

by WKRG Staff

Published: Fri, March 20, 2009 - 9:10 am CST Last Updated: Fri, March 20, 2009 - 4:28 pm CST

5:21 p.m.
Judge Charles Graddick called this the saddest case in Mobile County's history.
Graddick will take the jury's recommendation into account and will make the final decision on sentencing April 30.

5:16 p.m.
- Lam Luong has been sentenced to die for throwing his four kids off the Dauphin Island Bridge in January 2008.
- It took the jury about an hour to recommend Luong's fate to the judge.
- Judge Charles Graddick will take their sentence under advisement and make the final ruling on Luong's penalty.

3:50 p.m.
- The jury is now deliberating. They will recommend either the death penalty or life without parole.
- The 12 jurors are 3 women, 9 men. There are 6 black men, 1 black female, 3 white men and 2 white women.
- Judge Charles Graddick will take the jury's recommendation and ultimately decide Luong's fate.

3:28 p.m.
- The prosecution wrapped up sentencing by saying "He got what he wanted, now let him get what he deserves."
- Judge Charles Graddick went over the sentencing guidelines with jurors and then charged the jury.

2:45 p.m.
- Luong decided not to testify during the penalty phase.
- Testimony is over.
- Both sides will now present their closing arguments before the jury decides whether to sentence Luong to the death penalty or life in prison without parole.

1:50 p.m.
- A psychiatrist for the defense describes Lam Luong as having "major depression disorder"
- The doctor also says Luong had a mental breakdown and "cracked." He says Luong's drug problem magnified his condition.
- According to the psychiatrist, Luong had reached the point of critical depression after losing his job, having no money and fighting with his wife.

11:55 a.m.
- Jury took a lunch break. The penalty phase will resume at 12:45 p.m.

11:07 a.m.
- Jurors watched video of sand bags being thrown off the Dauphin Island Bridge. The lead detective in the case says it took just three seconds for each child to fall 85 feet. Their bodies were travelling 25 mph when they hit the water.
- The state has now rested its case in the penalty phase.
- The defense will now try to convince the jury to sentence Luong to life in prison without parole. They're calling two of Luong's cousins to testify about his rough childhood. A psychiatrist will then be asked about Luong's drug addictions and depression.

10:10 a.m.
Lam Luong's attorneys did not present a single witness during his capital murder trial. But they're fighting for his life Friday during the penalty phase.

It took the jury less than 45 minutes Thursday to convict Luong on all five counts of capital murder for throwing his children off the Dauphin Island Bridge last year. Now they must decide whether to recommend the death penalty or life in prison without parole. Judge Charles Graddick is not bound by the jury's recommendation.

The defense has brought in a family member who moved from Vietnam to the United States with Luong in 1984. They will testify, along with an Asian psychiatrist, that Luong was addicted to drugs and depressed during the time of the crime. Attorneys said while nothing will excuse what happened, they're asking jurors to have mercy on Luong.

The prosecution is calling several witnesses to testify, including the children's mother, grandmother and aunt.

The grandmother and aunt shared personal stories about the children. Ryan loved Scooby Doo and music and told Grandma he loved her all the time.
Hannah liked to have her finger and toe nails painted and was a tattle tale. She used to walk around in mom's heels.
Lindsey liked to play by herself and always shared her food.
Danny was only 4 months old when he was killed. Everyone was still getting to know him.

News 5's Tiffany Craig has been in the court room since the trail began on Monday. She'll have an update on the sentencing phase coming up on News 5 at 11:00 a.m.

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shortysouth Says:

Fri, Mar 20, 2009 at 9:37 pm

Death penalty is to good & quick death.He should have a slow painful death.Go on and get him over with.He should not get a free roof over his head,free food,water,bath,restroom,light,& bed.He needs nothing Tax Payers have to pay for.That is why the prisons are over crowded if they get death sentence or life without Parole I think they should go on a take them out.They deserve nothing for the horrible things they have done.This world is get worse people are just lettting the devil& evil enter in.GOD PLEASE HELP THIS WORLD!If it does"nt change alot of people are going to Hell.

Mom2AngelBaby Says:

Fri, Mar 20, 2009 at 5:30 pm

I agree…he should be put to death but not one moment before he is made to look at those pictures of his four children. AFTER they were found for at least a year or more! He should be made to stay in one room, fed there and bathroom there. with huge pictures of them babies. My heart is with the mother as this will live with her the rest of her life. What a sick man to say he wanted to see the look on there faces…wth…how would anyone look in a situation like this one. SADDEST part is there’s more sick people out there just like him…

SWEET ANGELS AS THEY SPREAD THERE WINGS AND FLY

^i^ ^i^ ^i^ ^i^

podunk Says:

Fri, Mar 20, 2009 at 4:52 pm

I think the death penalty is way too good for this ” puss infested boil on the butt of humanity”. He should rot in prison and as part of his punishment, pictures of those precious babies should be posted in his ‘quarters’.

rosepetal Says:

Fri, Mar 20, 2009 at 2:49 pm

i believe in the death penalty. in this case mercy would be for the death penalty. he will be put on death row away from general population and live many many more years. i hope they give him life without the possibility of parole so he can be put in general population. i think with his crimes he will not last near as long as on death row.

Mom of 2 Says:

Fri, Mar 20, 2009 at 2:32 pm

A mom I can’t imagine doing this to my own flesh a blood. Then to have the nerve to ask for MERCY….all I can say is you reap what you sow

FLOWERCHILD Says:

Fri, Mar 20, 2009 at 2:26 pm

I don’t see other people going to the top of the bridge who are depressed and on drugs. No mercy for this murderer. Death penalty.

atruemom Says:

Fri, Mar 20, 2009 at 11:21 am

I agree, those 4 innocent children were showed no mercy! There is alot of drug addicts and depressed people in the world, that is no excuse for murder! My heart goes out to the mother, who is probably highly depressed, but that does not mean she would or could kill some innocent child!!!

IM4BAMA Says:

Fri, Mar 20, 2009 at 10:41 am

WHY?????????????? What mercy was shown to those pitiful kids? I think this guy shoudl have his feet tied to rocks and SLOWLY lowered over the same bridge. When he gets about chin deep leave him hanging for a bit…some good ole thinking time.