Courts: Man found guilty of shooting his wife

FORT WAYNE, Indiana (WANE) – A man accused of shooting and killing his wife and then hiding his drugs and guns was found guilty of murder on Friday.

It took a jury less than an hour to find Har San, 23, guilty of murder, dealing methamphetamine, dealing drugs, dealing marijuana and using a firearm in the commission of a crime resulting in death. His sentencing will take place on March 10 at 1:30 p.m

Tesa Helge, chief counsel for the Allen County Attorney’s Office and lead prosecutor in the case, said the verdict was correct.

“It’s a very difficult situation when a loved one is taken into the hands of their own spouse,” Helge said. “We are grateful for the jury’s verdict on the victim and her family.” Family members were in the courtroom to support Ro Ze Ma, the victim, 24.

After the shooting on March 19, 2022, Har San showed no emotion and detectives found his reactions unusual, according to an affidavit of a probable cause.

“What are you guys trying to get out of me?” San asked Fort Wayne homicide detective Brian Martin. “Just leave me away for life?”

Police found San’s wife shot to death at her home on the 2100 block of Chartwell Avenue around 11 p.m. The coroner ruled that she died from a gunshot wound to the chest.

When detectives reviewed video of the scene, they saw San hiding something behind her house and throwing what turned out to be an AR pistol to the west of the apartment. The stash that was hidden was marijuana, methamphetamine and a duffel bag, court documents said.

Drugs were also found in her home, including marijuana, meth and M30 blue pills, often laced with fentanyl. All drugs were boxed for sale, probable cause on affidavit.

In a bedroom closet near his wife’s body, detectives found a photo of San holding an AR-style handgun with a grenade catcher that, according to court documents, appeared to be identical to the one found outside the apartment.

San went a step further and, when cornered, tried to blame black people, who a woman at the scene said she saw them.

He claimed he ran to the front door to look for the shooter but saw no one and never looked through the back door after his wife was shot. Police found no evidence of forced entry. San said it was his wife who bought a 9mm Glock pistol and he hasn’t fired a gun lately.

But when Martin asked him when was the last time he fired a gun, San said, “I don’t want to answer that.”

Witnesses told police that night they heard the couple fight in Burmese and San was accused of cheating on his wife.

Ro Ma was in her bedroom with her daughter with the door closed when witnesses heard the gun rack and the bedroom door was kicked down.

“Har San, stop, stop!” the witnesses heard her say. Then they heard a shot.

San then became more concerned with hiding his drugs and guns than taking care of his wife, witnesses said.

On the drive from a hospital, Han advised one of his male relatives to tell the truth, “but tell them you don’t know anything if the police ask questions.” At first, the family member went along because he was afraid that something would happen to him.

Attorney Richard Thonert led the defense.