Charlie Tan: ‘Dateline’ NBC Sunday Exposes Domestic Abuse In Former Cornell University Student’s Murder Case In ‘House Of Secrets’
Charlie Tan, the former Cornell University student who allegedly shot his father dead in their Pittsford, New York, home last year, will be spotlighted on Dateline NBC’s Sunday show. Tonight’s episode featuring the Tan case is called “House of Secrets” and will detail how a Cornell University student’s bright future was interrupted after he was accused of the murder of his own father. The show will use family, friends, experts, and law enforcement officials to tell how Charlie Tan’s outwardly exemplary life was shadowed by his home life; a life with family secrets, domestic violence, and tensions that would eventually bubble to the surface.
In February of last year, a 911 call summoned police officers to a home in Pittsford, a quiet, tight-knit community in New York’s suburbs. When officers arrived, they found 19-year-old Charlie Tan waiting outside in the driveway with his mother, Qing. Detectives entered the two-story home and found a 49-year-old man lying unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds to the body, according to the New York Post.
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The man was identified as Liang “Jim” Tan, also known as Ling Tan, the CEO of Dynamax Imaging. Detectives had been called out to the home on numerous occasions due to domestic disturbances. The Tans had an upstanding reputation in the community. But what people didn’t know was that, inside the home, there was a history of domestic violence, which was often directed at the mother, attorney James Noble said according to the Democrat and Chronicle.
“We have significant and credible, specific evidence to support that there was a longstanding abusive relationship in that house toward Mrs. Tan as well as both sons for a period of years.”
The community was shocked to learn of the events that had unfolded at the picturesque, snow-covered home that was later roped off with yellow police tape. Still, residents and friends of the Pittsford community rallied around Charlie Tan to show support for him during such a difficult time.
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Even at his trial, dedicated friends came to court daily to show support for Tan. A fund called the Charlie Tan Support Fund was also created to give monetary support. The site has raised over $45,000 out of their $75,000 goal. Those who know Charles Tan state that he was proud and excited when he was accepted to Cornell University. Considered by most who know him as a nice and kind young man, Charlie Tan provided a good example and was always proud to be the son of Chinese immigrants.
His old friend, Anna Valentine, made the following statement, according to Democrat And Chronicle.
“He is just one of the nicest, most supporting guys out there. He would do anything he could to help someone. He always thinks about others and puts others first. Everyone will keep supporting him in any way possible because he is one of the most amazing guys we know. I know he would do the same thing for any of us.”
At trial, the jury deadlocked, and the judge declared a mistrial — allowing Charlie Tan to go free, at least for now. Although a retrial was originally on the court docket, on November 5, 2015, Judge Piampiano unexpectedly dismissed the case.
The lack of forensic evidence connecting Charlie Tan to the shooting was a major factor in throwing the case out. The prosecution is said to be examining their legal options in order to reinstate the charges against Mr. Tan.
Liang Tan’s company, Dynamax Imaging, is a high-performance technology company that is dedicated to designing top quality image sensors, camera modules, and optics, according to the company’s mission statement.
Tonight’s intriguing Dateline episode about Charlie Tan and his family is a story that you won’t want to miss. Tune in tonight at 10/9 p.m. central on NBC. Recently, The Inquisitr reported on the case of Emily Beckwith Fazzino.
[Image via Dateline/Facebook]
