Ponchai Wilkerson was executed by the State of Texas for the murder of Chung Myong Yi
According to court documents Ponchai Wilkerson and an accomplice would enter the Royal Gold Jewelry Store in Houston, Texas. During the robbery Wilkerson would shoot and kill owner Chung Myong Yi.
Wilkerson would be arrested, convicted and sentenced to death
Ponchai Wilkerson would be executed by lethal injection on March 14 2000
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When Was Ponchai Wilkerson Executed
Ponchai Wilkerson was executed on March 14 2000
Ponchai Wilkerson Case
On Nov. 28, 1990, Ponchai Wilkerson and his companion, Wilton Bethony, entered the Royal Gold Jewelry Store in Houston, Texas following a month-long crime spree. While Bethony was looking at rings, Wilkerson purchased a $35 pendant from store owner Chung Myong Yi. At that time, Bethony’s friend, Chris Jones, entered the store. Jones later testified that he and Bethony spoke while Bethony continued looking at rings and Wilkerson stood nearby.
After Bethony bought two rings, Wilkerson exited the store for the first time and told Bethony he was going to a nearby leather store. Wilkerson returned to the store almost immediately, picked up the cars keys he had left on the counter, and exited again. Wilkerson then returned to the store a second time, one or two minutes later, stood behind Bethony, and pulled a gun from under his jacket. Without saying a word, Wilkerson shot and killed Yi across the counter. The medical examiner later found that Wilkerson’s Glock pistol had been fired from within 12 inches of Yi’s temple.
Wilkerson and Bethony then proceeded to smash the jewelry cases and seize the rings and necklaces within. Jones immediately ran to the business next door and asked them to hide him because he had just witnessed the store owner next door being shot. While Jones hid in the bathroom, Alan Krizan stepped outside and witnessed two men running from the jewelry store carrying black boxes with chains hanging out of them. Krizan identified Wilkerson as one of the men he saw running from the store. Wilkerson and Bethony loaded the stolen jewelry into a car and drove away.
http://www.oag.state.tx.us/newspubs/releases/2000/20000310wilkersonadvy.htm