Building Our Legacy:

The Murder of Vincent Chin

 

• Jun. 19, 1982: Vincent Chin is savagely beaten. Chin dies four days later. 

• Mar. 16, 1983: State court sentencing proceeding: Ebens and Nitz are each sentenced to three years probation, a $3,000 fine, and court costs. 

• Mar. 31, 1983: American Citizens for Justice (ACJ) is founded. 

• May 17, 1983: Liza Chan meets with Choi, Koivu, and Sirosky. 

• Jun. 1983: ACJ meets with the Department of Justice. 

• Nov. 1983: A federal grand jury indicts Ebens and Nitz for interfering with Chin’s right to use and enjoy a place of public accommodation on account of his race. 

• Jun. 5, 1984: First federal trial begins (Eastern District of Michigan). 

• Jun. 28, 1984: The jury finds Ebens guilty. 

• Sept. 11, 1986: Ebens’ conviction is reversed by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. On remand, a motion to change venue is granted, and the second federal trial is held in Cincinnati. 

• May 1, 1987: The Cincinnati jury acquits Ebens. 

 

 

This presentation is based on a script written by the

Asian American Bar Association of New York and Frank H. Wu.