Samuel Haskell IV pleaded not guilty to murder charges in his return to court for his arraignment today.
Catch up: Haskell, 35, the son of Hollywood executive Sam Haskell III, is facing three counts of murder for allegedly killing his wife, Mei Li Haskell, 37, and her parents, Yanxiang Wang, 64, and Gaoshan Li, 72. All three individuals went missing on Nov. 6.
On Dec. 18, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed that the dismembered torso found on a dumpster in Encino on Nov. 8 belonged to Mei Li. Her parents remain missing but are presumed dead.
Haskell allegedly hired laborers to dispose of the remains a day prior. Police who searched his Tarzana home reportedly found evidence consistent with a killing and dismemberment.
What his lawyer is saying: The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has reportedly mandated that Haskell wear an anti-self-harm vest. However, his lawyer, Joe Weimortz, claims his client has a pre-existing medical condition that prevents him from wearing it.
As a result, Haskell had to show up shirtless in court once again. “This situation is dehumanizing and creates an inaccurate image of Mr. Haskell,” Weimortz told Fox News Digital.
What’s next: Haskell remains held without bail. He is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 16. If convicted, the Hollywood scion faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Meanwhile, the couple’s three children, who were placed in protective custody in November, are now in the care of relatives, the Los Angeles Times reported.
