FRESNO (KMJ) — The man accused of trying to kill two Fresno County Jail Correctional Officers over the weekend, has made his first appearance in court.
Thong Vang is alleged to have taken a gun inside the main lobby, then firing at and critically wounding Correctional Officers Toamalama Scanlan and Juanita Davila.
Both are still recovering in the hospital. As of Tuesday evening Fresno County Sheriff’s Office describes Officer Scanlan’s condition at critical but recognizing the voices of his family, and Officer Davila as stable and able to communicate via written messages and texting.
A number of Fresno County Sheriff’s Deputies were inside the courtroom Thursday morning as Thong Vang’s case was heard. The 38 year old suspect was present for only a few minutes as his attorney requested to continue the arraignment in another week.
“What is said in the media is all I know about the case”, Roberto Dulce revealed outside the courtroom. “This morning [I was] provided with a diskette of the police reports in this case. That’s why we put matter the over to next Thursday so I can make a determination whether we can represent”.
Speaking on behalf of the District Attorney’s Office, was the District Attorney herself Lisa Smittcamp.
“Anybody in this community, or in this city of this state that thinks its OK to shoot to anybody in law enforcement. If they think that’s an appropriate way to behave they will have the full wrath of the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office come down on them”.
“This is completely unacceptable behavior and we are going to do everything we can to see that Mr. Vang is prosecuted to the full extent of the law”.
DA Smittcamp adds that she’s very confident in the case and that the witnesses who were inside the jail have all given statements.
There is also a suggestion that because Fresno County District Attorney’s Office are prosecuting a case involving Fresno County Correctional Officers, the case may be taken outside the county.
“I think that that’s always an option for the defense to discover if that’s an issue for them. We live in a world where the media goes everywhere now. This is a case that is getting national attention.
But as far as we’re concerned this case belongs in Fresno County, he committed the crime here, and we’re ready to prosecute him”.
“That might be an option down the line”, responds defense attorney Roberto Dulce. “The fact that there’s a lot of Deputies that know about this particular case that might be an issue. But I haven’t made that determination yet whether or not he can get a fair trial in this county.
“I’m assuming he can unless it’s proven to me otherwise”.
Thong Vang is facing two counts of attempted murder, and being a felon in possession of a firearm after the events of Saturday September 3rd. He faces a potential sentence of 110 years to life behind bars.
The arraignment will continue on Thursday September 15th.
Hear the story from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
