Elderly Couple Charged in NYT Exec's Murder

Shouyong Zhang and Shili Chen, both 77, have pleaded not guilty to murder and firearm charges. They are accused of killing their son-in-law, Jonathan McKinsey, 40, on the afternoon of September 26th. The fatal shooting took place in the parking lot of the Dublin Sports Grounds, located east of San Francisco.

McKinsey, who was the head of engineering at New York Times Games, was pronounced dead at the scene. His in-laws were apprehended by authorities minutes later near the Dublin police station. Police reports indicate that Zhang admitted to the shooting, while Chen has remained silent.

The incident appears to stem from years of documented family strife. Court documents reveal McKinsey alleged ongoing abuse from his in-laws, who he claimed targeted him for being a transgender man. He also accused his wife of years of physical and emotional harm, which he stated extended to their children.

These allegations surfaced following charges of child endangerment and corporal injury filed against McKinsey in October 2025. He pleaded not guilty to these charges. Subsequent legal actions included restraining orders filed by both McKinsey and his wife, Candice Jang, followed by McKinsey's divorce filing.

Attorneys for Zhang are seeking his release or bail, citing his advanced age, frailty, and signs of dementia. They are concerned about his well-being in custody and are investigating if his medical conditions may have contributed to the tragedy. Both Zhang and Chen are scheduled for a bail hearing on November 4th.