Accused in Edmonton Chinatown Killings Claims No Memory of Attacks

Justin Bone, accused in the fatal beatings of two men in Edmonton's Chinatown, told a trial he has no memory of the attacks. Bone has pleaded not guilty to two counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of Hung Trang and Ban Phuc Hoang, who were killed in separate, unprovoked assaults on May 18, 2022, while working.

Bone testified that in the days leading up to the incident, he suffered from lack of sleep and roamed the city streets, consuming methamphetamine. He recalls waking up in police custody, extremely thirsty, and activating his cell's sprinkler system for water. Police informed him he was arrested for serious assaults and later that the victims had died.

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He says he remembers waking up in police custody, feeling extremely thirsty and setting off the sprinkler in his cell so he could have a drink of water.

Court heard that Bone had been released from jail in late April 2022 on unrelated charges, with conditions prohibiting him from entering Edmonton. However, RCMP brought him back to the city three days before the attacks. He had been approved to reside at a family friend's home in Alberta Beach, approximately 70 kilometers away.

The relationship with the friend deteriorated after Bone allegedly stopped engaging in sexual activity in exchange for money. The friend then contacted RCMP, reporting threats from Bone, leading officers to bring him to Edmonton despite violating his release conditions. Bone stated he spent the subsequent days trying to contact family for accommodation while using drugs and wandering the city.

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He says police told him he was under arrest for two serious assaults and later informed him that the two victims had died.