California Man’s Poisoning Conviction Dismissed After Colleague Releases Hidden Camera Video

Hidden Camera Captures Co-Worker Tampering With Water

Yuan’s health problems began in 2017 and included persistent vomiting, hair loss and other troubling symptoms. Despite seeking medical care, she struggled to determine what was causing her illness. The situation took a disturbing turn when Yuan’s mother noticed an unusual smell coming from her water bottle. After cleaning the bottle failed to resolve the issue, Yuan installed a hidden camera near her desk to investigate. The footage captured Xu approaching her desk and pouring a substance from a small container into her water bottle while she was away. Subsequent testing identified cadmium as the contaminant, prompting authorities to investigate the incident as deliberate poisoning. According to accounts of the investigation, the contaminated water contained cadmium at levels approximately 3.5 million times the federal drinking water limit. Yuan and her parents also tested positive for cadmium exposure after consuming water from the bottle.

Attempted Murder Charges Ended In Plea Deal

Xu was arrested in March 2019 and initially faced charges that included premeditated attempted murder and felony poisoning. Prosecutors alleged that he had contaminated Yuan’s food and water over an extended period. The case eventually ended in a plea agreement in 2023. Xu pleaded no contest to one felony poisoning charge, while the attempted murder charges were dropped as part of the agreement. In 2024, a judge sentenced Xu to two years of probation. He received credit for time already spent in custody, meaning he served little additional jail time. The sentence raised questions about whether the punishment adequately reflected the seriousness of the allegations and the physical harm Yuan reported experiencing.

Judge Dismisses Felony Conviction Despite Objections

After completing probation in March 2026, Xu sought to have his felony conviction dismissed under California’s post-conviction relief process. A judge granted the request on October 12, 2026, despite objections from prosecutors. The dismissal does not mean Xu was acquitted of the original charge. He had already entered a no contest plea to felony poisoning. Instead, the ruling grants relief following his completion of probation. Yuan has expressed concern that the decision could make it more difficult for future employers to discover Xu’s criminal history. She released the hidden camera footage publicly as the court considered his request, bringing renewed attention to a case that began with years of unexplained illness.

Victim Continues To Seek Accountability

For Yuan, the case has involved far more than a criminal prosecution. She spent years trying to understand her declining health before discovering evidence implicating someone she worked alongside. The surveillance footage played a crucial role in exposing the alleged poisoning and providing investigators with evidence of what happened at her workplace. Although Xu completed probation and obtained dismissal of his felony conviction, Yuan continues to raise concerns about the lasting effects of the poisoning and whether the outcome delivered meaningful accountability. The case highlights the challenges victims can face when alleged wrongdoing is concealed and the resulting health problems initially have no clear explanation. It also raises broader questions about how courts balance opportunities for rehabilitation with the concerns of victims seeking accountability for serious crimes.