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Visiting scholar Yingying Zhang was reported missing.
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Brendt Christensen questioned.
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Police obtained a search warrant for Christensen’s vehicle. He admitted to giving an Asian female a ride, but he said he let her out of his vehicle shortly after picking her up.
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Christensen was arrested for kidnapping Zhang.
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Christensen was denied bail in Federal court because he was deemed a flight risk and threat to the community.
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A federal grand jury indicted Christensen with kidnapping Zhang.
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Christensen pleaded “not guilty” to one count of federal kidnapping.
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Christensen’s attorneys Tom, Evan and Anthony Bruno asked to be removed from the case, citing that Christensen does not have the necessary funds to pay them if he is charged with higher charges.
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The Brunos were granted their request to leave the case and Christensen was given a team of public defenders.
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A federal grand jury charged Christensen with one count of kidnapping resulting in death and two counts of making false statements to the FBI.
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Christensen pleads “not guilty” to the three charges.
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Christensen’s attorneys asked for a delay in the trial for more preparation time.
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The request for a trial delay was denied.
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Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions releases an intent to seek the death penalty against Christensen.
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Christensen’s defense team asks U.S. District Judge Colin Stirling Bruce to recuse himself from the case.
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Christensen’s trial is pushed to April 2019.
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Memorial garden dedicated in the name of Yingying Zhang.
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Christensen’s wife, Michelle Christensen, files for divorce.
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Christensen’s trial is moved from Urbana to Peoria.
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Defense attorney's motions to dismiss the death penalty and suppress evidence was denied.
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Evidence reveals hand-shaped bloodstains found in Christensen's apartment, other bloodstains in his bedroom were found as well, but have not been tested.
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Defense's motion to exclude evidence found by a cadaver dog was denied.
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Defense asks to move trial to July 1.
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Trial is delayed to June 3 after defense attorneys argued the psychiatrist evaluating Christensen needs more time to develop an expert testimony.