The Murder of Vincent Chin
For this case I watched an episode of Fatal Encounters. It’s season 3 episode 9, titled ‘Killer Swing.’
A 27 year old man is killed nine days before his wedding.
Background
Vincent Chin was born on May 18, 1955. He lived in an orphanage near Hong Kong in his earlier years. He was adopted by a couple named Bing Hing (David) and Lily Chin, and moved with them to Detroit, Michigan.
Vincent adapted quickly to the language and culture of America. He was described as nice, funny, and made friends very easily. He was also hardworking, and worked two jobs, as an industrial draftsman and waiter at a Chinese restaurant.
Vincent Chin
The Bachelor Party
On Saturday, June 19, 1982, Vincent planned to meet with some friends after his shift at the restaurant. He had asked a few of them to go out for a last minute bachelor party. His wedding was set for June 28, 1982.
Vincent and his friends went to one bar, and decided to leave to go to another place called The Fancy Pants Club. The Fancy Pants Club was known for being very raunchy, and had even been in police reports in the past.
Before they went to the club, Vincent stopped by his parent’s home, and said goodbye to his mom Lily. Lily tried telling him not to go out, and believed something bad would happen. Vincent convinced her everything would be fine, and that he just wanted to have one more night before his wedding.
The Fight
Vincent and his friends were having a fun time. They had brought in their own Vodka and orange juice for screwdrivers, and were a few drinks in. The dancers were paying attention to them due to the tips they were receiving.
Across the stage from Vincent, a man named Ronald Ebens and his step-son Michael Nitz arrived. Ronald was paying attention to one of the dancers, when all of the sudden racial slurs and insults were being thrown out.
Ronald told Vincent that it was because of people like him, an Asian-American man, that people like them, were out of work. Michael had recently lost his job at Chrysler.
Vincent was angry after these comments, and he walked over to where Ronald and Michael were. Vincent shoved Ronald, who then picked up a chair to throw. Vincent defended himself, and the chair hit Michael in the head, leaving a gash.
The bouncers arrived, and escorted Vincent and his friends out. The friends were waiting in the parking lot for one of their friends, who was inside using the bathroom. Ronald and Michael came out, and continued the fight.
The Murder
Vincent’s friends tried to separate the two groups, but Ronald wouldn’t leave them alone. He grabbed a baseball bat from the back of the car, and held it in a threatening way.
Vincent was able to run away, with Ronald running after him. The friends split up, two going to the vehicle, and one friend, Jimmy Choi, running after Vincent. The plan was to search for Vincent and Jimmy, and pick them up in the car.
Ronald and Michael also got into their car, and continued stalking Vincent. They picked up a local man named Jimmy Lee Perry. They offered him $20 dollars to help them find Vincent. He agreed, and they eventually found Vincent and Jimmy in a McDonald’s parking lot.
An off duty officer named Morris Cotton was nearby, and saw everything. Ronald ran towards Vincent, and started swinging the bat. Officer Cotton pulled out his service weapon, and demanded that Ronald stop attacking Vincent. Ronald didn’t listen, and was described as having a glazed over look in his eyes. Officer Cotton said Ronald held the bat up, and appeared to have been “swinging for a home run.”
Eventually, Ronald stopped, but it was too late. Vincent was still alive, but brain matter was visible.
Vincent’s friends Bob and Gary, who were in the car searching, didn’t find out until a co-worker of Vincent’s told them. They believed that they were going to find him before something happened.
No Justice For Vincent
Vincent was taken to the hospital, where he stayed in a coma for four days. He passed away on June 23, 1982.
Michael and Ronald were charged with second degree murder. However, they never served any jail time. They were convicted of manslaughter, sentenced to three years probation, and fined $3,000 each.
Ronald denied killing Vincent because of his race. Many witnesses said otherwise, especially hearing Ronald’s comments to Vincent at the club.
Lily Chin, with a photo of Vincent
The Civil Suits
After Vincent’s murder, and the “sentencing” of Ronald and Michael, it led to civil rights protests and a civil case.
In 1984, Ronald Ebens was sentenced to 25 years to life. The conviction was overturned in 1986, due to an attorney inappropriately coaching a witness. Ronald was cleared of all charges in 1987.
Michael Nitz was acquitted of all charges.
Michael and Ronald
The protests
Other
A documentary called Who Killed Vincent Chin? was nominated in 1989 for an Academy Award.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This case made me sick to my stomach, as most do. In this episode, they talked about how many drinks Ronald had that day, and that everyone was drinking that night. However, this does not excuse murdering someone with a baseball bat. Ronald was told several times to stop swinging the bat, and he didn’t. His step-son didn’t step in to stop him, and seemed to be fine with watching a man lose his life.
I don’t know if I believe it was racially motivated. Ronald said some things he shouldn’t have said, but he stalked Vincent and hit him several times in the head. Ronald and Michael should’ve spent time in prison. If it was the other way around, Vincent or his friends would probably have received a large sentence. It’s heartbreaking. Vincent and his family deserve justice, and were completely robbed of it.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Vincent_Chin
https://www.history.com/news/vincent-chin-murder-asian-american-rights
https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2021/06/18/vincent-chin-anti-asian-bias/7740543002/
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/who-vincent-chin-history-relevance-1982-killing-n771291
https://www.sundance.org/initiatives/womenatsundance/four-decades/who-killed-vincent-chin
