A former Lehigh University student admitted Tuesday he poisoned his roommate to try to kill him.
Yukai Yang, 24, pleaded guilty attempted first-degree murder, according to Northampton County Deputy District Attorney Richard Pepper.
Yang put small amounts of thallium into roommate Juwan Royal’s food, drinks and mouthwash gradually from February through April 2018, authorities said.
Yang will be sentenced Jan. 21, Pepper said. He expects Royal will be there with his family to discuss the impact the poisoning had on his life.
Pepper said Royal spent about two years in physical therapy due to neurological damage from the poison.
“Two and a half years later he’s still having neurological issues with his toes,” Pepper said Tuesday.
In exchange for the plea, other charges against Yang were dropped. He was accused of posting racist graffiti for Royal in April 2018.
Sentencing guidelines call for a minimum sentence between six and 20 years in prison, Pepper said. The maximum sentence is 20 to 40 years in prison. Pepper said there is no sentencing bargain in the case.
Yang was a chemistry major at Lehigh. His bail was raised from $200,000 to $2.5 million last year when he allegedly tried to flee the U.S. and return to China, according to the Associated Press.
Yang is represented by attorney Janet Jackson. She didn’t immediately return a message seeking comment. She said in court Tuesday that Yang suffers from mental health issues, according to a report by WFMZ Channel 69.
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Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. If there’s anything about this story that needs attention, please email him. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook.
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