'Justice Has Been Served': Jury Convicts Man In Domestic Violence, Elder Abuse Case

San Francisco prosecutors praised the victim for speaking out against her abuser during the trial.

by Fernando Haro 

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — A Bay Area jury has convicted a man who authorities say beat and abused an elderly woman over the course of two years.

Henry Luong, 73, was found guilty of two counts of domestic violence, one count each of elder abuse, domestic battery and assault, along with six counts of violating a restraining order, San Francisco prosecutors announced Monday.

“I am grateful that justice has been served in this case,” San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said in a press release Monday. “This guilty verdict will ensure that Mr. Luong will not be able to continue harming the victim.

The woman was returning home from seeing her grandchildren on May 1, 2022, when Luong started hitting her with a metal spaghetti strainer and broomstick, according to prosecutors.

The attack left her arms and hands bloodied as she tried to shield herself from the blows, authorities said.

During another occasion, almost two years later, Luong threw the woman against a wall, where the impact knocked her onto the ground and left her unable to get up, according to prosecutors.

Police were called to the scene and the woman was taken to a local hospital for treatment, authorities said.

Luong was ordered by the authorities to stay at least 150 yards away from the woman, but instead, continued harassing her, prosecutors said. Following an investigation by the San Francisco Police Department's Special Victims Unit, Luong was prosecuted, authorities said.

"We take these cases very seriously and work with victims to fight for justice," Jenkins said. "We know how quickly these types of incidents can escalate into greater violence or tragedy and are committed to doing everything we can to prevent tragedy and keep residents safe in their own homes and everywhere in our city.”

Assistant District Attorney Max Draskovich praised the woman for coming forward against Luong, saying that her voice was "essential in this trial."

"Both victims of domestic violence and seniors are among our community’s most vulnerable people," Draskovich said. "It is important that we all do our best to uplift and protect them. I want to thank this jury for holding Mr. Luong accountable.”

Prosecutors did not say whether Luong and the woman knew each other or if these were random attacks. Luong is due back in court for sentencing on Oct. 2. It's unclear how much prison time he is facing. 

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'Justice Has Been Served': Jury Convicts Man In Domestic Violence, Elder Abuse Case