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Yukai Yang, now 25, pleaded guilty to attempted murder last November, acknowledging that he bought thallium in March 2018 and began slipping it into Juwan Royal’s food and mouthwash, CBS Philly reports.
Royal noted in court that he suffered weight loss, headaches, nausea, and heart palpitations, WFMZ reports.
He was diagnosed with heavy metal poisoning in April 2018, after he described a tingling sensation that started in his extremities, turned into “unfathomable pain” in his feet that left him unable to sleep or climb stairs, according to WFMZ.
Thallium is tasteless and odorless and has been used by murderers as a difficult-to-detect poison, according to the CDC.
Thallium has not been produced in the United States since 1984, but is imported for use in the manufacture of electronics, low-temperature thermometers, optical lenses, and imitation precious jewels, the CDC says.
Yang was also charged with ethnic intimidation months before the attempted murder charge, for allegedly damaging Royal's TV and writing a racial epithet on his belongings, CBS Philly says.
Police say black marker was used to write “(N-word) get out of here," LehighValleyLive reports.
Yang apologized to Royal in court Monday saying ”I cannot undo the damage to your body. I cannot erase the pain I caused your family. I am here today to accept the punishment I deserve," CBS reports.
Northampton County Judge Stephen Baratta said Yang, who has a history of mental health issues, lashed out when the roommate suggested in their senior year that he was considering moving out, WFMZ reports.
He called Yang “an emotionally-wounded, damaged person who couldn’t handle rejection," the outlet reports.
Yang said he was under tremendous pressure, attempted suicide multiple times, and claims he got the thallium online to harm himself, LehighValleyLive reports.
Royal, who said he still suffers pain, remains concerned about the unknown long-term effects of thallium poisoning, LehighValleyLive reports.
Despite this, Royal and his mother said they forgive Yang, the outlet reports. However, his father Fred Royal told Yang in court, "You get no forgiveness from me. Know that,” LehighValleyLive reports.
Yang is not a U.S. citizen, and prosecutors indicated he will need to serve at least his minimum sentence of seven years before facing possible deportation to China, WFMZ reports.
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