Stockton man sentenced for orchestrating 2022 murder of wealthy dentist

Stockton, California, resident Hasheem Bason, 35, was sentenced to 15 years to life in state prison for the 2022 murder of Oakland dentist Dr. Lili Xu. Bason pleaded no contest to second-degree murder. Prosecutors revealed that Xu’s romantic partner, Nelson Chia, orchestrated the murder to gain control of her assets after she discovered his infidelity. Xu was worth between $12 million and $14 million in property and assets from life insurance policies, and Chia was a trustee who would immediately receive $1 million if Xu died, according to officials.

Catch up: Xu, 60, was shot and killed while inside a car with Chia at the intersection of East 11th St. and Fifth Avenue in Oakland on Aug. 21, 2022. Phone records and communications show Chia conspired in a murder-for-hire plot with Bason, offering him significant money for the murder. He allegedly manipulated Bason, who had a vulnerable past, into committing the crime. Chia later died by suicide to avoid prosecution. Bason will reportedly appear in court for his sentencing on Aug. 20.
Remembering Xu: Xu was remembered as a dedicated dentist and passionate ballerina, with a community vigil held in her honor. The Chinese American moved to the U.S. in 1995 and had been a dentist for about 15 years. She and Chia, who lived together in the Oakland Hills, were romantically involved for 10 years. “The shooting death of popular dentist Lili Xu traumatized our entire community. In this case, we learned extreme mitigating circumstances that had to be considered in resolving the case against Mr. Bason,” District Attorney Pamela Price said in a statement.

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