A San Marino man accused of murdering his wife and setting their home on fire was released from jail after posting $2.25 million bond, according to jail records.
Yoon Lai, who is facing murder and arson charges, was freed from jail at 3:25 a.m. Sunday after posting the bond.
His bail had been set on July 8 during a court appearance. Lai will be back in court as the judge will determine whether the case has enough evidence to move forward.
During the July 8 court appearance, a Los Angeles County prosecutor argued Lai beat his wife, Irene Gaw-Lai, to death and tried to cover up the murder by setting their home on fire.
The prosecutor said the two had experienced “some marital discord,” telling the judge that cellular site data and surveillance video suggests that the defendant was at the home shortly before the blaze.
Lai’s attorney countered that the county medical examiner’s office has listed the woman’s cause of death as “undetermined.”
The defense lawyer, who said his client has been in “full cooperation with law enforcement,” said there were electrical issues at the home, saying that “more than likely we have an electrical fire.”
Lai’s attorney noted at the first court hearing that Lai owns a business that he has operated for 30 years and that his three adult daughters and his previous wife were in the downtown Los Angeles courtroom.
Firefighters responded to the house Jan. 6 following reports of a residential fire.
Sheriff’s deputies were contacted and interviewed Lai when he arrived at the home with his twin 16-year-old sons.
“He’d taken his sons to baseball practice this morning, and when he returned to the location, from dropping them off at practice, he noticed the residence was on fire,” sheriff’s Lt. Steven de Jong told NBC Los Angeles that day.
In a statement released shortly after the case was filed, District Attorney Nathan Hochman said, “The violent death of Dr. Irene Gaw-Lai is heartbreaking and deeply disturbing. She was not only a respected physician and
business leader, but a mother who deserved safety and dignity in her home. We will not rest until the person responsible for this senseless tragedy is held fully accountable.”
Lai could face a potential life prison sentence if convicted as charged, according to the District Attorney’s Office.