Accused ‘killer grandma’ in NYT exec slaying appears in court with husband

By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2026-09-30 22:51:48 | Updated at 2026-09-30 23:58:17 1 hour ago

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Accused killer grandma Shili Chen broke her silence in court Wednesday as she and her husband appeared together behind glass for the first time since the fatal shooting of New York Times executive Jonathan McKinsey.

Witnesses and court filings report that the two elderly suspects took turns shooting McKinsey before fleeing the scene in a Honda Civic.

Chen, 77, appeared on the right wearing a green top and blue medical-style mask. Her husband, Shouyong Zhang, 77, sat to her left in yellow jail garb.

Shili Chen is alleged to have shot dead her estranged son-in-law Jonathan McKinsey. Alameda County Sheriff's Office

Shouyong Zhang allegedly shot McKinsey execution style in the parking lot of the Dublin Sports Grounds. Alameda County Sheriff's Office

Asked whether she wanted a public defender or private lawyer, Chen told the court through a male Mandarin interpreter: “I do not have the financial means.”

Zhang didn’t speak during the brief hearing and waived his formal arraignment. Public defender Jenny Otis represented him Wednesday. No pleas were entered, and neither defendant was granted bail.

McKinsey, a 40-year-old tech executive at The New York Times, was killed on Dublin Boulevard in the Bay Area. Facebook/@Jon McKinsey

Both were charged with felony murder Wednesday by the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, with prosecutors also alleging that they used a firearm that caused death and that they “lied in wait” for McKinsey.

The pair will be back in the same courtroom Thursday for plea proceedings. Chen is also expected to be appointed a public defender at the 9 a.m. hearing.

McKinsey, center in green, and his family are pictured in this undated photo. Facebook/williamfinneyII

The charges landed on Sept. 30 — the couple’s shared 77th birthday.

According to charging documents, Zhang and Chen allegedly tried to flee after McKinsey was killed. Witnesses helped police identify and stop their vehicle, the documents say.

Zhang is pictured being detained by police after the shooting.

McKinsey, a Dublin resident, worked as head of engineering, Games Player Experience at The NY Times.

Zhang later admitted killing McKinsey during an interview with investigators, according to the filings. Chen invoked her Miranda rights.

Prosecutors also alleged violence or bodily harm, use of a weapon, violent conduct, infliction of great bodily injury, and personal and intentional discharge of a firearm, among other firearm allegations.