Thao trial begins in La Crosse Co.

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WEAU) - The trial begins today for a man facing charges related to a 2021 triple homicide.

36-year-old Nya Thao faces three charges of first-degree intentional homicide as party to a crime in the killings of 24-year-olds Peng Lor and Nemo Yang and 23-year-old Trevor Maloney in 2021. Each charge carries a life sentence if convicted.

The trial for Thao in June of 2023 ended in a hung jury. Thao was one of two suspects charged in the case.

The three victims were found dead at Romskog Quarry in the Town of Hamilton, about 15 miles northeast of La Crosse, Wis., on July 23, 2021, at about 4:57 a.m.

In court, both the defense and prosecution said this case hinges on a witness.

Prosecution said the witness will describe how Thao hunted down the three people who were killed, while the defense said that the witness was pressured into naming a killer.

“Multiple witnesses will tell you that Mr. Thao and Mr. Rattanasack were searching for Nemo. They chased him down. Mr. Thao got into Bridgett’s car and directed her how to get to the quarry in the middle of the night,” said Emily Ruud, Deputy District Attorney.

“She blames the homeless man. She doesn’t blame the violent man who she says hurts women,” said Aaron Nelson, attorney for the defense.

Investigators said the killings may have stemmed from a dispute over a $600 debt between one of the suspects and at least one of the victims.

In the criminal complaint, an informant identified some of the people involved in the incident as being members of rival gangs.

Khamthaneth Rattanasack pleaded guilty on October 30, 2023, to three counts of first-degree intentional homicide as party to a crime in the killings of Lor, Yang and Maloney.