New London, Conn. —
State prosecutors today upped the ante in a pending Norwich homicide case, substituting the charge of manslaughter with one count of murder against Chihan “Eric” Chyung, who in 2009 was charged with shooting to death his wife, 46-year-old Paige Bennett.
Assistant State’s Attorney David Smith made the announcement during Chyung’s regularly scheduled appearance in New London’s Part A court.
Chyung is accused of shooting his wife on June 2, 2009 after an argument at their 257 Norwich Ave. home. Chyung claims his wife’s death was an accident, that he was packing his Glock 9 mm pistol into a suitcase when it went off. Bennett was shot in the head.
Chyung claims his “finger was not consciously on the trigger when he fired it,” according to a police report.
Smith said today that evaluation of the evidence, including newly-obtained forensic reports warranted the upgraded charge.
Woolf, however, claimed the state was “overstretching.”
“I don’t think they have a scintilla of evidence that he intentionally killed her,” Woolf said.
Woolf said he looked forward to a probable cause hearing, scheduled to start on Aug. 16, to cross examine state witnesses,
Bennett’s mother and daughter were among several family members in court today to applaud the news of the upgraded charge.
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