Cases rest after Christensen’s ex-wife, ex-girlfriend testify
By Samantha Boyle, News Editor
June 21, 2019
Filed under Champaign-Urbana, Crime, News
After numerous witnesses took the stand over the last week and a half, closing statements in Brendt Christensen’s trial are set to begin on Monday. Although the defense has not denied Christensen’s responsibility in the death of visiting scholar Yingying Zhang’s death, he is still pleading not...
Second week in guilt phase of Brendt Christensen’s trial begins
By Samantha Boyle, News Editor
June 18, 2019
Filed under Champaign-Urbana, Crime, News
The guilt phase of Brendt Christensen’s trial continued Monday, even after one attorney told the jury that the counsel will not deny Christensen killed visiting scholar, Yingying Zhang. Since the guilt phase began last Wednesday, several witnesses have testified and evidence has been brought forward...
Krannert Center announces performances in 50th season
By Hannah Preston, Interim editor-in-chief
June 18, 2019
Filed under Around Campus, Arts & Entertainment, Champaign-Urbana, News, Showcase
The Krannert Center for the Performing Arts has announced the performances and projects taking part in their upcoming 2019-2020 season, the second in a two-season 50th anniversary celebration of the opening of the center. The center promises a wide variety of performances will grace their stages,...
Events leading up to Yingying Zhang’s disappearance explained in opening statements
By Samantha Boyle, News Editor
June 12, 2019
Filed under Champaign-Urbana, Crime, News
After nine witness testimonies and the defense telling the jury they won’t deny the fact that Brendt Christensen is responsible for the death of visiting scholar Yingying Zhang, the court adjourned at around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. Four University of Illinois Police Department officers testified in...
Brendt Christensen’s lawyers acknowledge he killed Yingying Zhang
By Samantha Boyle, News Editor
June 12, 2019
Filed under Champaign-Urbana, Crime, News
Opening statements for the accused kidnapper and murderer of visiting scholar, Yingying Zhang began Wednesday morning. Christensen’s defense attorney, George Taseff, said the defense acknowledges Christensen’s responsibility in Zhang’s death. “Brendt Christensen is responsible for the death...
Fire near apartment building causes power loss, resident displacement
By Samantha Boyle, News Editor
June 9, 2019
Filed under Around Campus, Champaign-Urbana, Crime, News
A resident of an apartment building on Green Street discovered and reported a fire Saturday around 11:56 p.m. According to a City of Champaign press release, firefighters found flames in the back of the apartment building located at 509 E. Green St. The flames extended to the building’s electric m...
Court needs only 12 more jurors to qualify for Brendt Christensen’s trial
By Samantha Boyle, News Editor
June 6, 2019
Filed under Champaign-Urbana, Crime, News, Showcase
Fifteen potential jurors came into court for questioning Thursday morning and 16 were questioned that same afternoon for the trial of Brendt Christensen, alleged kidnapper and killer of visiting scholar Yingying Zhang. The fourth day of jury questioning ended with a total of 58 qualified jurors. Six...
Opening statements in Brendt Christensen’s trial predicted to begin Wednesday
By Samantha Boyle, News Editor
June 5, 2019
Filed under Champaign-Urbana, Crime, News, Showcase
Day three of jury selection in Brendt Christensen’s trial included groups of 14 jurors in both the morning and afternoon sessions. Six of the potential jurors qualified from the morning group and two qualified in the afternoon, bringing the total up to 45 potential jurors of the 70 needed before c...
Day two of jury selection ends with 24 more potential jurors
By Samantha Boyle, News Editor
June 4, 2019
Filed under Champaign-Urbana, Crime, News
The second day of jury selection ended Tuesday with 24 jurors total added to the pool from Monday. Sixteen jurors were brought in for both the morning and afternoon sessions. Nine jurors were qualified in the morning, and 15 qualified in the afternoon. After 70 jurors qualify, both sides will “stri...
Christensen’s trial begins with first round of jury selection
By Samantha Boyle, News Editor
June 3, 2019
Filed under Champaign-Urbana, Crime, News, Showcase, State, Top Stories
Yingying Zhang’s mother, Lifeng Ye, sat four rows back in the courtroom gallery as the jury selection process for her daughter’s alleged kidnapper started on Monday. The formal charges against Brendt Christensen by the federal government are kidnapping resulting in death. Additionally, two noncapital...
Road closure on Sixth Street rescheduled
May 29, 2019
Filed under Around Campus, Champaign-Urbana, News
The City of Champaign announced Tuesday the dates for road closure on Sixth Street between Green and John streets have been rescheduled to Friday between the hours of 7 a.m.-7 p.m., assuming weather is favorable. According to the notice, the street will remain open to traffic on Thursday. During the...
Tornado reported in Urbana although no sirens sounded
By Samantha Boyle, News Editor
May 29, 2019
Filed under Around Campus, Champaign-Urbana, News, State
Although no sirens sounded on Sunday, a tornado was reported to have hit the city of Urbana causing major tree devastation. Champaign County was in a thunderstorm watch starting around midnight Sunday. There were thunderstorm warnings up to the western county line; however, no warning or tornadi...
