Trial delayed in Merced case of man accused of killing woman, leaving body in garbage bin

A Bay Area man who’s accused of killing a woman and leaving her body in a garbage bin is expected to head back to trial in Merced County, although the case probably will not be resolved until at least the middle of next year.

William Li is accused of the 2017 killing of Lijun Wang, a Chinese national who investigators believe was involved in sex work while trying to pay off debts incurred while traveling to the United States, according to court documents.

Li has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include one count of murder, and one count of killing a human being with malice and forethought. He posted $1 million bail in May 2017.

Wang’s body was found Feb. 6, 2017, wrapped in multiple plastic bags in a shopping center garbage in the 3100 block of G Street, Merced police said. Li was arrested not long afterward in San Mateo.

Defense Attorney Jeffrey Tenenbaum, who is representing Li, and Chief Deputy District Attorney Matthew Serratto, who is prosecuting the case, have both said scheduling has been an issue.

Although Li’s next trial was scheduled to begin next week, Tenenbaum said it likely will not begin until April or May. “Issues came up that couldn’t be avoided,” Tenenbaum said. “We ran into additional conflicts for next month, so the trial will be scheduled for next spring.”

Scheduling trials during the holidays is also challenging, Serratto added. Plus, since Li has been released on bail, his trial dropped in priority below those individuals who are still being held while awaiting trial.

Authorities have alleged Li was tied to an organized crime group Wang worked for, and they speculated a soured romantic relationship may have been reason he could have killed Wang.

Investigators identified Li as a suspect after reviewing cell phone call records and geo-location records.

This story was originally published November 2, 2021 at 5:00 AM.