Detention hearing set for Illinois abduction suspect

By Associated Press

Published: July 5, 2017, 9:55am

4 Photos

Brendt Christensen, the suspect in the kidnapping of visiting University of Illinois Chinese scholar Yingying Zhang. At Christensen’s first court appearance at federal court in Urbana, Ill., Monday, July 3, 2017, a judge ordered Christensen held without bond. Authorities said facts in the case indicate the Zhang is dead, although her body hasn’t been found. (Macon County Sheriff’s Office via AP) Photo Gallery

CHICAGO — A detention hearing is set for a 28-year-old charged in the kidnapping of a University of Illinois scholar from China.

A federal judge will decide at Wednesday’s hearing in Urbana whether Brendt Christensen can be released pending trial.

He’s accused of abducting 26-year-old Yingying Zhang on June 9 as she headed to sign an apartment lease off campus in Urbana. Authorities believe she’s dead, though her body hasn’t been found.

Judges consider two main factors in deciding whether suspects qualify for release. One is whether they pose a danger. The other is whether they’re a flight risk.

Christensen lives in Champaign and has a master’s degree in physics from the University of Illinois. He previously lived in Stevens Point, Wisconsin,

If convicted, he would face a maximum life prison sentence.

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