Thao homicide trial for West Salem quarry murders is about to begin

Nearly two years after three men were shot to death at a quarry near West Salem, one of the murder suspects goes on trial this week.

Jury selection begins Monday morning for 35-year-old Nya Thao, who’s charged with three counts of homicide and a count of felony possession of a firearm. Thao and a second man, Khamthaneth Rattanasack, are accused of killing Nemo Yang, Peng Lor, and Trevor Maloney outside the Milestone quarry on July 23rd, 2021, reportedly in a dispute over money.

Sources say more than 100 prospective jurors have been called for the jury screening process. Two weeks have been set aside for Thao’s trial before Judge Elliott Levine. Rattanasack is said to be working on a plea agreement, and could be called as a witness in the Thao trial. He had been scheduled for a plea hearing last month, which was postponed.