LACROSSE, Wis. – A man accused of three execution-style shootings at a remote quarry in 2021, all point-blank, was found guilty. The jury returned its verdicts against Nya Thao, after five hours of deliberation. Judge Elliott Levine ordered Thao be held at the LaCrosse jail until sentencing sometime in September or October. Besides three counts of first-degree murder, Thao was convicted of being a felon in illegal possession of a firearm. Thao showed no emotion as the verdicts were announced. The shootings were over a $600 debt. They occurred at the gate of the Romskog Quarry five miles up the bluffs from West Salem. Killed were Nemo Yang, Peng Lor and Trevor Maloney. They had been lined up late at night and shot.
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Thao. Motionless as unanimous verdicts of guilty read by court clerk.
Earlier mistrial
Thao was tried in June 2023 but a mistrial was declared after jurors failed to come up with a unanimous verdict. Thao did not testify in the retrial. Nor did Khamthaneth Rattanasack, who earlier was convicted separately. Rattanasack was sentenced to prison for life in January with the possibility of release after 35 years. The sentence from Judge Levine, was nearly double sentencing guidelines.
Rattanasack. Already serving life term.