California IN BRIEF : RICHMOND : Killer Chose His Own Coffin

A week before attacking his family and killing two police officers and himself, Jay Choe put $200 down on his own coffin and funeral. He calmly picked out a blue and silver steel coffin, requested a Christian service and handed over two $100 bills on Dec. 23, said James Smith, director of Smith & Cannon Funeral Services. Choe said he would return with the $2,318 balance. If he planned at the time to kill himself during a rampage at his ex-wife’s home, Choe gave no hint, Smith said. On Monday, Choe, 53, fatally shot two police officers when they responded to an urgent call about a family fight. He then shot and wounded his former wife, Yon Soon Choe, and 14-year-old son, Joohn Choe, before killing himself. A daughter escaped unharmed. Yon Soon Choe was listed in serious condition and her son in fair condition Wednesday. Monday’s drama capped years of harassment by Choe, who friends and authorities said could not get over his failed marriage.