Stockton Man Life Sentence : Hired Assassin Pleads No Contest to Oakland Murder

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Oakland hired assassin
2. Murder for hire plea deal

A Stockton man has agreed to serve a life sentence in prison for murdering a 60-year-old woman in a targeted killing allegedly orchestrated by the victim’s longtime significant other. Hasheem Bason, 35, has pleaded no contest to second-degree murder in the shooting death of Lili Xu, an Oakland woman who was killed as she exited her Lexus on the 1000 block of 5th Avenue. Bason, identified as the gunman through DNA evidence, remains in jail awaiting sentencing. The plea agreement stipulates life with a chance for parole after 15 years. Authorities say the murder was part of a plot by Xu’s boyfriend, Nelson Chia, to gain millions in life insurance and assets.

The Tragic Murder of Lili Xu in Oakland

On a fateful day in August 2022, tragedy struck the streets of Oakland as 60-year-old Lili Xu fell victim to a targeted killing. Hasheem Bason, a 35-year-old man from Stockton, has recently agreed to serve a life sentence in prison for the murder of Xu. The incident took place on the 1000 block of 5th Avenue, where Xu was fatally shot as she exited her Lexus.

The Alleged Murder-for-Hire Plot

The investigation revealed that Nelson Chia, Xu’s boyfriend of 10 years, had allegedly orchestrated the murder, hiring Bason to carry out the heinous act. Chia, who died by suicide shortly after being booked into Santa Rita Jail on murder charges, is believed to have masterminded the plan in hopes of gaining $12 million to $14 million in life insurance and assets from Xu’s passing.

Bason’s Plea and Sentencing

Bason has pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and is currently awaiting sentencing, scheduled for July 30. The plea agreement stipulates that he will serve a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 15 years. It remains to be seen whether the time Bason has already spent behind bars will count towards his sentence or if a new countdown will begin upon his entry into the state prison system.

The Grim Details of the Crime

Authorities have revealed that Bason and an unidentified cohort approached Xu as she was getting out of her car. Bason, identified as the gunman through DNA evidence from an expended shell casing, carried out the fatal shooting. Investigations further uncovered communications between Chia and Bason discussing the murder plot, solidifying the case against the two individuals.

The Role of Nelson Chia

Despite his public portrayal of shock and devastation following Xu’s death, Chia’s involvement in the murder-for-hire plot was evident. Police discovered that Chia had actively participated in planning the murder, coordinating the day, time, and location of the incident. Chia’s denial of recognizing Bason in a photo lineup, despite their known association, further incriminated him in the crime.

A Well-Known Dentist Turned Suspect

At the time of the murder, Chia was a respected dentist practicing in Castro Valley and Oakland. His sudden involvement in a heinous crime shocked the community, with police taking several weeks to identify him and Bason as the prime suspects. The chilling details of the murder-for-hire plot have sent ripples through the city of Oakland, leaving many questioning the depths of human depravity.

As the legal proceedings unfold and justice begins to take its course, the memory of Lili Xu lingers, a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the darkness that can lurk within human hearts.