New details of the tragic murder of the Auburn couple are emerging

AUBURN, Ala. (WTVM) – The trial of a man accused of murder in the 2020 slaying of an Auburn husband and wife – the family the suspect once lived with – continues.

The trial began on Monday.

“He has no problem with his view of reality. He still agrees, he did the right thing,” said Dr. Stephen Ziman.

On October 22, 2020, the Auburn couple saw each other and their children for the last day. Ruobin Wang, 21, an exchange student at Auburn University, allegedly broke into their home and stabbed Dr. Lijun Xuan, 40, and his wife, Zheng Zhengwu, 41, dozens of times in front of them. their young children.

Dr. Steven Ziman, a neuropsychiatrist who examined Wang, testified during Thursday’s hearing.

“At first there were observations that there was something wrong with him and not in line with the general population,” said Dr. Ziman.

He was questioned by both the state and the defense about his visits to Wang and what might have motivated him to kill Mr. Xuan and Ms. Wu. Dr. Ziman explained that conflicts arose between Wang and the couple when he lived with them as a student. He noted that Vanga described the couple as evil.

“He said he didn’t think his charges should be consistent with murder. He said that he is on the side of justice, that he acts only for the purpose of self-defense or the protection of other people. Again, this idea of being above other people because he is on the side of good. He believed that his owners were on the side of evil,” Ziman said.

Auburn law enforcement officers reported finding two bloody knives in a trash can near a home on Monroe Drive. In this case, the state does not demand the death penalty, but life imprisonment without parole. The defense pleads not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect.

On the day of the crime, Wang reportedly left a letter on his computer explaining that he was acting on the side of “good.” He also expressed concern that the couple’s children were being left behind, stating: “Your parents made me do this. I feel sorry for them, the children, but they didn’t give me a choice.” Closing statements are expected to begin on Friday.