Dr. Yue “Emily” Yu was indicted on multiple felonies for allegedly poisoning her husband’s tea with Drano, and could face over eight years in prison if convicted.
Woman Poison’s Husband in His Tea
A grand jury indicted California dermatologist Dr. Yue “Emily” Yu on multiple felonies for allegedly sneaking Drano into her husband’s tea, resulting in stomach ulcers.
She faces three counts of poisoning and one count of domestic battery with corporal injury. The husband set up a hidden camera and captured Yu pouring drain cleaner into his tea.
He then gave samples of the tea to the Irvine police, which were later confirmed by the FBI to contain the liquid cleaner.
If convicted, Yu could face over eight years in prison.
“Our homes should be where we feel the safest,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in a statement.
“Yet, a licensed medical professional capitalized on her husband’s daily rituals to torment her husband by systematically plying his tea with a Drano-like substance intending to cause him pain and suffering.”
This Wasn’t Yu’s First Time Under Suspicion
In August 2022, Yu was arrested on suspicion of poisoning and released on a $30,000 bond. Her husband filed for divorce and a restraining to keep her away from their children.
He now has full custody, while Yu has visitation rights. Yu’s attorney expressed gratitude for the grand jury’s decision to indict.
“Making sure that there’s a chance for justice to be served,” Hittleman said. “This is the next step in resolving this horrible turn of events. This is tragic on a number of levels.”
He added he’s unsure if prosecutors will request a criminal restraining order against Yu at an April 18 arraignment, but he plans on asking for an extension of one from the family matter proceeding.
In August, Chen accused Yu and his mother-in-law of mistreatment towards him and their children.
“As early as two-years-old Emily and Amy were verbally and then physically abusive to [our son and daughter] which intensified as they grew older,” he said. “They are both verbally and physically abusive to me.”
Income Played a Factor?
A previous lawyer for Yu denied the accusations and claimed Chen fabricated the story to obtain custody of their two children in August.
Hittleman dismissed any suggestion that Chen was trying to take advantage of his wife, stating on Wednesday that it was false.
“My client was a radiologist during the marriage. Emily Yu was a dermatologist with a private practice in Newport Beach, California,” he said. “She was the majority wage earner during the marriage. She became the breadwinner and far out-earned compared to my client’s income.
“So the thought that this is in some way or somehow designed to get an advantage of her is ridiculous. My client had no interest in killing the golden goose. A majority of the income coming into the home was coming from Dr. Yu.”
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