Prosecutors present forensic evidence in trial of grandfather slain execution-style in Chinatown

CHICAGO (WGN) — Another day of emotional testimony at the Cook County courthouse in the murder trial of Alphonso Joyner, accused in the 2021 execution-style murder of a 71-year-old grandfather, Woom Sing Tse, in Chinatown.

Seeking a conviction on first-degree murder and weapons charges, county prosecutors presented a mountain of forensic evidence — shell casings to bullet fragments and fingerprints — on Day 2 of the trial. The defendant’s lawyers contend that much of the evidence in the case is circumstantial, however, with no witness to the actual shooting.

PREVIOUS: Opening statements in trial of man accused of execution-style murder in Chinatown

The victim’s loved ones, close friends, and supporters watched on as prosecutors produced the alleged murder weapon in court. Prosecutors showed the jury the 9MM handgun and extended magazine allegedly used by Joyner on Dec. 7, 2021.

Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Jimmy Konstantopoulos also questioned forensic specialists, who described finding the handgun and magazine in Joyner’s car after the deadly shooting.  

Police pulled over Joyner and his silver blue Honda hatchback pulled over on the Kennedy Expressway within hours after the Chinatown shooting on the 200 block of W. 23rd. The coat and sweatpants recovered by police matched the clothing seen in neighborhood surveillance videos that captured the deadly attack, according to prosecutors.

Investigators say Joyner fired nearly two dozen shots at the victim, walked up to his 71-year-old victim, and shot him at close range, execution style. No word on what motivated the vicious attack, as it doesn’t appear to be robbery. First responders found the victim’s wallet untouched in his back pocket.  

In court on Wednesday, Joyner was expressionless and mostly disengaged with his defense team. Proceedings resume Thursday, with the possibility of jury deliberations by day’s end.