Lansing, MI – The Clinton County Circuit Court held a hearing on Wednesday to consider a request for a retrial from Thomas Olson, a man convicted of second-degree murder in connection with the 2018 killing of a Bath Township hunter, Chon Yang. Olson, who was sentenced to 24 years in prison last September, claims that he did not receive effective legal representation during his initial trial and is seeking a new trial.
Yang, a frequent hunter at Rose Lake State Park, was found dead on the evening of November 16, 2018. His body was discovered by his family after they traced two sets of footprints from his car, which was parked near the park. Yang’s wife had grown concerned when he failed to return home, prompting the search that ultimately led to the grim discovery.
For several years, Yang’s family worked tirelessly to keep the case in the public eye, even launching the online campaign “Orange Justice” to raise awareness. Despite their efforts, the case remained unsolved for five years. However, in 2023, police made an arrest, charging Thomas Olson with the murder. While initial charges against one suspect were dropped, Olson was convicted by a jury of second-degree murder and felony firearm possession.
At Wednesday’s hearing, three witnesses were called to testify, but the court did not hear enough to make a ruling on Olson’s motion for a retrial. The proceedings, which are part of Olson’s claim that his previous defense was inadequate, will continue in July.
The case has remained a source of public interest and legal debate, particularly given the years it took to bring any suspects to trial. Yang’s family, still grappling with the loss of a loved one, is now facing yet another delay in the pursuit of finality and justice.
As Olson’s legal team prepares for the continuation of the hearing, the outcome of the retrial motion could have significant implications for both the conviction and the ongoing quest for justice in the tragic death of Chon Yang.
