Death Penalty Trial for Pierre Haobsh Inching Closer

The death-penalty murder trial for Pierre Haobsh —accused of killing noted Santa Barbara herbalist and acupuncturist Dr. Weidong “Henry” Han, 57; his wife, Huijie “Jennie” Yu, 29; and their 5-year-old daughter, Emily, in their home four years ago — has been assigned a last-day-for-trial date: June 10, 2021. Attorneys for the defense and prosecution will meet again in Judge Brian Hill’s courtroom on January 13 to discuss when to set an actual trial date.

Haobsh is accused of killing Han in hopes of draining the $20 million he mistakenly believed was in Han’s bank accounts. Haobsh worked closely with Han over the years as a research assistant in a couple of side ventures, one involving the curative powers of cannabis and another that would combine the restorative powers of stem cells in new skin creams. He reportedly believed Han was far wealthier than he in fact was.

Because of the degree of premeditation alleged to have been involved — and the eight bullets shot into the head of Han’s daughter — District Attorney Joyce Dudley filed death penalty charges against Haobsh, the first and only time she has done so.