Rep. Brostoff Stands in Solidarity with the Hmong Community
“Sao Lue Vang's family deserves justice and the Hmong community of Wisconsin deserves justice.”
MADISON – While hunting in Pepin County last November, American war hero Sao Lue Vang, 64, was attacked and viciously beaten by Kevin Elberg, 43. Elberg claims he acted in self-defense despite standing nine inches taller and weighing nearly 70 pounds more than Vang. The police report states that Elberg smelled of alcohol.
“Sao Lue Vang accidentally walked beyond a property line and apologized for it. Kevin Elberg beat an American war hero within inches of his life. Now the attacker is going to go to jail for 10 days, while the victim had to do far more time than that in the hospital and in rehabilitation,” said Rep. Jonathan Brostoff (D-Milwaukee). “Sao Lue Vang’s family deserves justice and the Hmong community of Wisconsin deserves justice.”
After beating him into unconsciousness, Elberg called his parents rather than emergency responders. Elberg and his mother then threw Vang into the back of a pick-up truck and moved him from the scene of the crime. They did so without taking Vang’s injuries into account further endangering his physical wellbeing and without his consent. Vang suffered, amongst other injuries, a life-threatening laceration to his liver.
“We want justice,” said Shoua Vang, Sao’s daughter. “My father doesn’t deserve this.”
Initially charged with two felonies, Elberg was sentenced yesterday to serve a paltry 10 days in jail and 2 years of probation.
“Sao Lue Vang and his family have been let down by our justice system. This is the worst of insults to the Vang family after Sao Lue suffered life-threatening injuries.” Brostoff continued. “I stand in solidarity with our Hmong neighbors across the state and say: Peb yuav tsum muaj kev ncajncees!”
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
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