Charges dropped against Manitowoc murder suspect Quinn Smith

Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter

Quinn Orn Smith, 22, of Minnesota, appears in front of Manitowoc County Circuit Court Judge Gary L. Bendix for his preliminary hearing at Manitowoc County on June 1. Smith is charged in the Feb. 5 shooting of 52-year-old Kor Yang.

MANITOWOC - The case against Quinn Orn Smith, a 22-year-old Minnesota man, has been dismissed because of a lack of incriminating evidence against Smith in the murder of Kor Yang.

According to Manitowoc Police Chief Nick Reimer, the dismissal was "without prejudice" meaning Smith could be charged for Yang's murder in the future after a more thorough investigation is completed.

Until the case was dismissed May 10, Smith was the prime suspect in the Feb. 5, 2016, murder of Yang, a 52-year-old Manitowoc man. Smith was charged with first-degree intentional homicide.

Manitowoc Police Department issued the following statement Friday regarding the dismissal:

"Charges against Quinn Smith, the suspect charged in the Feb. 5, 2016, murder of Kor Yang, have been dismissed without prejudice with leave to reissue. What this means is that even though charges have been dismissed at this time, they can be reissued at a later date. This decision was made after lengthy discussions between the Manitowoc County District Attorney’s Office, the Manitowoc Police Department and a spokesperson for the Yang family.

"With the defense’s request for a 'speedy trial,' everyone felt it would be in the best interest of justice to dismiss the charges at this time rather than hastily go forward with the case," the police statement added. "As most people are aware, the prosecution gets only one chance to conduct a trial as 'double jeopardy' does not allow a second chance. In addition, there is no statute of limitations on a homicide charge, which is different from most other charges. We want the public to know that the investigation of this case is still ongoing at this time. Manitowoc Police Detectives are continuing to follow up on all leads. In addition, the United States Marshal Service continues their nationwide manhunt for the second suspect in this case, Joe Vang.

"Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 920-683-4466 or Manitowoc Police Department at 920-686-6551. Callers can remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward for information leading to an arrest."

According to the criminal complaint, Yang was fatally shot multiple times at his home in the 2200 block of South Ninth Street in Manitowoc during the early morning hours. Crime lab analysis determined the bullets were fired from a gun found nearby in the 2100 block of Lakeside Boulevard.

Further analysis matched Smith’s DNA with samples taken from the trigger of the gun. Manitowoc Police Detective Sgt. Mike Stone said other DNA evidence linked Joe Vang, 25, to the shooting.

Vang remains at large. Both Smith and Vang are known members of the Asian Crips gang, according to investigations.

Smith's attorney Jeffery Oswald, attempted to have Smith's statements made to law enforcement officers after his arrest in May 2016 suppressed by filing a motion September 2016.

The motion states the Manitowoc Police Department conducted an interrogation May 9, 2016, while Smith was in custody at the Ramsey County Jail in Minnesota. Oswald claims, in the motion, the police did not inform Smith that he did not have to speak with them and that they did not confirm he did indeed want to speak to them.

Oswald further claims the police commenced with the interrogation without informing Smith that charges against him had been filed and that he could choose to terminate the questioning and request counsel.

Because of those circumstances, Oswald said he wanted all statements made to the police during that interrogation suppressed in Smith’s trial.

That motion was not upheld in court given the police who interrogated Smith read to him the Miranda Rights which would have covered that information, according to Reimer.

Smith was released from jail Sept. 13, 2016, on a $500,000 recognizance bond and currently resides in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Oswald and Manitowoc County District Attorney Jaclyn LaBre were not available for comment by press time.

Alisa M. Schafer: 920-686-2105 or aschafer@gannett.com

Manitowoc police at the scene of the Feb. 5, 2016, shooting death of 52-year-old Kor Yang.