Accused killer walks free from Melbourne dumpling bar owner’s murder case

A jilted ex-husband suspected of killing a Melbourne dumpling bar owner in a “crime of passion” will walk free after being acquitted of his murder.

Alexander Wong has been acquitted. Picture: Aaron Francis

A man who police suspected used a plasterer’s mallet to bludgeon a popular Melbourne dumpling bar owner to death will walk free after being acquitted of murder.

Yoke Onn “Vincent” Chi, 56, who took over the popular restaurant at Northland Shopping Centre in 2017, was found dead inside his Templestowe Lower home on January 31, 2020.

CCTV shows Vincent Chi shortly before he was murdered.

Police initially believed his death was the result of a burglary gone wrong, with the China Bar’s daily cash takings, his wallet and iPad missing.

But a homicide probe led detectives to Alexander Wong.

A Supreme Court trial heard Mr Wong, 42, from Heidelberg West, was the jilted ex-husband of Penny Chung, who worked for Mr Chi.

Ms Chung had moved in with Mr Chi when finding out Mr Wong was having an affair.

She had considered Mr Chi like a “godfather”.

The prosecution case alleged Mr Wong killed Mr Chi in a “crime of passion” after suspecting he was sleeping with Ms Chung.

Even when police knocked on Mr Wong’s door in the hours after Mr Chi’s bloodied body was found, he did not speak highly of the deceased.

“He f---ed my wife in my own home and I really hate him,” Mr Wong said.

The court heard a bloodied black glove was also found on the ground next to his car parked outside.

But defence counsel James McQuillan argued the glove could have been planted there.

He said there was no evidence to pin the crime on his client.

“Police did not find one trace of blood in his car,” Mr McQuillan said, questioning how he could have been at such a bloodied scene and not left any traces in his vehicle.

“There’s no blood found on any of his clothing, in his house or anywhere else.

“If you accept the Crown case … he is a criminal mastermind – he must be, to carry all that out.”

Bloody footprints found at the scene were also size 7 shoes, with Mr Wong’s shoe size much bigger, Mr McQuillan argued.

Mr Chi’s stolen wallet, iPad, a bag with the cash takings from his restaurant, and the murder weapon have also never been found.

After almost two days of deliberations, the jury on Friday found Mr Wong not guilty of murder.

It means Mr Chi’s death will remain a mystery, with his family left with no justice.

Justice Michael Croucher told Mr Wong, sitting in the dock, he would be “free to go” following the verdict.

The experienced judge also sent his sympathies to Mr Chi’s family, who were listening to the hearing from a remote facility.

“All I can say is, I’m sorry for your loss,” Justice Croucher said.

“It must be a horrible thing.”