Lawyer for Jonathan McKinsey's in-laws says they shot him in self-defense

The defense in the killing of New York Times software engineer Jonathan McKinsey is now arguing that his in-laws shot him to protect themselves. Their lawyer claims McKinsey had arranged for a contract killer to go after his mother-in-law.

Attorney Curtis Briggs represents Shili Chen and Shouyong Zhang, who are both 77. He told reporters the couple bought guns in March 2026 because they were afraid for their lives.

According to Briggs the pair had found out that McKinsey once paid someone to kill Chen. Zhang was apparently not the main target, he said.

The defense account

According to Briggs there was no plot. He said the couple went to the Dublin Sports Grounds in Dublin, California, on September 26 only because a judge had scheduled time for them with McKinsey's kids that day.

Briggs also alleged that McKinsey had a history of violent crimes and had made repeated threats against Chen. Briggs said witnesses heard McKinsey threaten her life on at least three occasions. He added that McKinsey once said he would "get rid of" Chen.

Speaking outside the courthouse, Briggs said McKinsey had been "extremely hostile" toward Chen. He described her as essentially the family's live-in nanny and argued that McKinsey brought the outcome on himself.

The prosecution's case

Prosecutors say the couple shot McKinsey to death at the park. They have charged both of them with first-degree murder.

Chen and Zhang entered not guilty pleas at their arraignment on Monday in an Alameda County courtroom. The claims from both sides have not been tested in court.

Who McKinsey was

McKinsey, 40, was a transgender father of three. He worked as a software engineer on the newspaper's games platforms. At the time of his death he was in a bitter divorce and custody fight with his estranged wife, Candice Jang.