He was adorable. What a tragic loss.

Devon was a shining light who brightened every life he touched, however briefly. The world is a much darker place now.

May he be in peace with his brother and his father.

What a beautiful child.

No disrespect to the victims, but why is Los Altos doing this? Los Altos is near Ms. William's parents home, whereas the two kids should probably have attended elementary near Rowland Heights.

Why aren't other innocent victims of murders be honored the same way?

Devon attended Los Altos Elementary School. His classmates, friends and teachers feel his loss deeply. It gives them comfort in their grief to do something to honor his memory. How would you suggest helping a 7-year-old child cope with the murder of his best friend, if not by giving him something positive to focus on? Dev loved school and numbered the days during school vacation, anxious to return. I would have donated all of his many books to his school library anyway - it has been my plan all along. I am touched and honored that others loved him enough to do this for him. He would have been pleased and excited.

Why does it bother you, anonymous? Do you know the name of another murdered child who attended Los Altos who should be memorialized as well? Devon would have been more than happy to share the honor, and so are we on his behalf. JW, Devon's grandmother

to anonymous,
if you ment no disrespect you should have kept your comment to yourself. stop yourself before you ask another stupid question and think about what your really saying and throwing out there. why cant you just let it be a nice thing the school is doing? why does there need to be any controversy over that?

and a williams didnt kill anyone, ms. tsang did. it hurts my heart every time i see her addressed as a williams. williams arent murderers.

to anonymous,
if you ment no disrespect you should have kept your comment to yourself. stop yourself before you ask another stupid question and think about what your really saying and throwing out there. why cant you just let it be a nice thing the school is doing? why does there need to be any controversy over that?

and a williams didnt kill anyone, ms. tsang did. it hurts my heart every time i see her addressed as a williams. williams arent murderers.

Ms. Jan Williams -- now that makes sense why Los Altos would be doing this. I do know a murdered child, but not at Los Altos; and it just surprised me that Los Altos in Hacienda Heights, seemingly unrelated to your grandson would do this. But now I know, and apologize for asking.

Friend of Neal, et al -- we are arguing semantics here. Ms. Manling Tsang was Ms. Williams, because she adopted your friend's last name in marriage. So, a Williams did murder those you love, even if it is only a Williams by marriage only.

to anonymous,
it isnt a matter of semantics. your statement is cruel.

Devon was a sweetheart, he learned it from his dad.

Friend of Neal, et al -- How is my statement that Ms. Manling Tsang Williams is a Williams "cruel". I am sorry, but I fail to see that. In the "best" of times, they CHOSE to be married to each other, and she CHOSE to change her last name to Williams. So, by stating facts now makes me a cruel person?

Read my post again, I never argued Devon was a sweetheart. I did not know him, but I don't doubt that, as all kids are innocent and sweet. But, I take exception at your assertion that Ms. Manling Williams was a "Tsang", not a "Williams". So, does that mean their marriage never existed? Does that mean taking on a last name is any less valid a way to become a family member? does that mean if a person is not related by blood, then he/she is not considered a relative to his/her partner?

If you considered those two were legally married, and that she did indeed take on his last name, then she was part of the family. That means, a Williams did murder three other Williams. If by stating facts makes me cruel, well, then I am.

To the best of my knowledge, Manling never changed her name to Williams after her marriage to my son. I believe this is culturally traditional, though I could be wrong. It sounds strange to our ears sometimes to hear her addressed now as Mrs. Williams when that isn't the name she usually went by. When we hear Mrs. Williams, it usually means me, and Ms. Williams makes us think of Neal's sister. Perhaps this is why Neal's friend finds it objectionable. Since you also know a murder victim, you must know that it is very hard to explain or justify our feelings rationally. Grief can be passionate, all consuming and primal, but never rational.

Neal, Devon and Ian were interred at Rose Hill.. One day, Ling pass away, her body will be there with them, same as Ling's mom and dad..
To Tsang's, Neal still their's son-in-law, Kids still their's dearest always, they still see williams as family, how about williams?

Mrs. Jan Williams -- Again, you have shown class and grace, despite being in grief through your wisdom and your rationality (yes, I did type that). I did not know your family (inclusive of Ms. Tsang). I am, however, a father of two; and I can NOT fathom what you have went through. I know I would want absolute hell for the perpetrator of this heinous crime, for taking the life of the son, and the two grandchildren. My deepest condolences, Mrs. Williams.

But, as a father, I would never want to see my kids at either end of this type of crime; so I would also offer my condolences to the parents of Ms. Manling Tsang Williams. They raised a child for so many years, only to see her throwing it all away and killing their own grandsons in a few seconds of foolishness.

Oh, come on! We all, Williams and Tsang, lost 4 family members on August 8. Do you have any idea what that feels like? I took Ling to my heart as a daughter when she married my son. As Ling's friend, you should know that already. Alice, Kai and I have wept together, prayed together and agonized together many times. We are all confused, bewildered, angry and heartbroken. Our lives will never be the same. We are grieving. As I said, grief is not a rational thing. I was only trying to help anonymous understand why one of Neal's close friends feels what he/she feels, not repudiate my son's marriage or deny half of my wonderful grandsons' heritage. If there is a book of instructions on how to feel or act or handle a situation like this, I wish someone would point it out to me. We are groping our way through a very dark place together, with nothing to guide us, and nothing makes sense right now. Here something happens that brings us a bit of comfort - the library memorial - is it necessary to spoil that? Please. We are not only grieving, but we are grieving out in public with a huge magnifying glass trained on our every word and deed. I was trying to bring about understanding, not more discord. If feelings were hurt, I'm sorry. That was the opposite of my intention. Es tut mir leit. Mea culpa. I will crawl back in my hole and pull the covers over my head.

That's kind of you to say Anonymous. Thank you.

yes, grief is not a rational thing, that's why try not to say any emotionally.
TO Mrs Williams: if you do understand Ling's mom and dad are sad like you, then yes, some of your post were hurting them and me as Ling's friend. Cus same time, Ling treated you as a mother, too..

I believed her, why? No idea, because I know how much she loves Neal and proteat him, because I knew she loves her kids so much, she worked hard to keep family running when Neal no in job.. she just like my sister, we barely meet each other, but i believed her..

To tell you the truth, I think both families have moved beyond the point where we can be hurt by mere words in a blog. If you have a child, you know the primal joy of having that new life placed in your arms for the first time. Losing a child or grandchild is also primal - a primal ache and longing that has no solace. It's beyond description in human language. I hope you never know what it is like.

Mrs. Jan Williams,

I am the anonymous who started this long discussion by questioning why Los Altos did that, and then argued with a friend of Neal regarding semantics of Ms. Tsang Williams' last name, then apologized to you and admiringly call you classy above.

I have repeated this before, I do not know any of the families involved. I took this story with interest because I grew up in Hacienda Heights, and once lived for a few years in Rowland Heights before moving to another part of LA. However, I still own a number properties in the area.

I have two kids - a toddler and an infant. My toddler recently got sick (just some fever), but I was worried sick over it. I can not possibly imagine what you and your family, and Mrs. Tsang Williams's family must feel like right now. I suspect, whatever I was feeling, extrapolate it a trillion times, perhaps that would come semi-close. I can not imagine ever losing of my kids; nor can I imagine any of the two sweet darlings do something that would cause so much pain to others. So, my deepest thoughts and prayers go to both of your families.

Your comment regarding griefing in public is right on. Your comments reveal your raw emotions and your mixed feelings. If that can help you alleviate some of the pain, then we are all ears.

If any of my previous comments seem cruel or cold, I apologize. I know two families are torn apart and will never be the same again.

I hope your pain (and Mrs. Tsang's family's pain) will gradually subside with time, and perhaps all of you will eventually find peace and closure within yourselves.

I understand the primal joy of having the kids; and I hope I die before finding out the primal ache of losing a child. I know I have said it many times, but I will say it once more, "please take care of yourself and may you find peace and closure".

Sean

Thanks, Sean, for your kind words of support. I take things one breath at a time, and somehow the sun keeps coming up every morning. The boys hated to see anyone unhappy or in pain, and in my memory I can clearly hear 3-year-old Ian's voice saying, "Don't sad, Oma!" That helps me through some of the tough days.

Any info on what's going on in this case? seems to have fallen off the news radar

There is a hearing in Pomona on January 15.

At the hearing today the defense indicated that they are not yet ready to proceed. The matter was continued. There will be a hearing on February 20, and the preliminary has been rescheduled for March 6.

The dedication of the Devon Williams Memorial Library at Los Altos Elementary School was held yesterday afternoon. It was very sweet and touching. A lot of love and hard work went in to the project and I really appreciate it. Devon would have as well.

What a beautiful child. Mrs. Jan Williams, you are such a strong women. Please keep us informed of the court proceedings.

Thank you for your kind words and thoughts. The preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 18 in Pomona. I hope it isn't postponed again.

A hearing was held today to discuss a motion by the defense. After reviewing a sealed argument, the judge granted another continuance. Preliminary hearing is rescheduled for May 9.

St. Patrick's Day is around the corner, and it makes me think of Devon. Every year he would construct a trap, determined to catch a leprechaun. Last year he succeeded in catching - a potato. At the time of his death last August, he was already planning an elaborate trap that he was sure would work. We found replica pieces of eight at a pirate store that he thought would make the perfect bait. He watched films and read stories, to learn all their tricky habits. He knew that you can't look away from them, that they will trick you with your wishes, that you might think you have a pocket of jewels only to find it was pebbles in the light of day. Very practical and skeptical about a lot of things, was Devon, liking everything to be explained scientifically. But he had a steadfast belief in leprechauns. Keep a sharp eye out on the 17th, and if you see one, ask him to take Devon my love ...and a potato.