Trial set for two men accused in La Crosse murders

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LA CROSSE - Two men have been ordered to stand trial for the murder of a young woman at her apartment in La Crosse, and a drive-by shooting at the home of an elderly woman. 19-year-old Kong Vue and his 21-year-old uncle Pao Choua Vue were both bound over at a preliminary hearing yesterday on charges of homicide and attempted homicide. They’re scheduled to enter pleas on May 21.

A police detective testified yesterday that Kong Vue was upset after arguing with his girlfriend over money – and he was looking for before he picked up his uncle on the day of the crimes March 26th. Police said Pao Vue randomly shot at an 83-year-old woman’s house while she was celebrating her birthday. And a few minutes later, Kong Vue was reportedly looking for money when he entered Sara Hougom’s apartment. The detective testified that Kong was not planning to commit murder – but he panicked and shot the 20-year-old Hougom while he was trying to steal her purse.

The State Crime Lab said shell casings from the same gun were found at both crime scenes. And a former La Crosse County jail inmate testified Pao Vue told him he shot-and-killed Hougom while they were watching a TV news report of the incident. Vue was in jail at the time for violating the terms of a previous bond.

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