Man receives 2 years of probation for poisoning co-worker’s water bottle
The case of David Xu has renewed outrage after he was caught on camera contaminating a Berkeley co-worker’s water bottle. Lawrence Jones and criminal defense attorney Donna Rotunno examined the controversy, noting that Xu received just two years of probation even though the victim reportedly suffered for 18 months. Xu is now seeking to have his criminal record completely expunged.
A University of Wyoming graduate student was arrested after police accused her of trying to poison a colleague and then attempting to leave for China when questioned by investigators.
Aili Wang, 32, came under scrutiny after a co-worker experiencing unexplained medical problems installed surveillance cameras. According to a University of Wyoming police affidavit, footage from Oct. 1 allegedly showed Wang rinsing the co-worker’s mug with liquid from her own cup. The affidavit also says she was seen “taking photos and manipulating notebooks.”
Wang reportedly had a strained relationship with the co-worker, whose name was not included in court documents. Surveillance video allegedly showed her searching through the researcher’s desk. His work focused on disease-treatment technology, an area similar to research Wang had pursued in China.
Aili Wang, 32, a Chinese national and University of Wyoming graduate student, is accused of poisoning a fellow researcher before allegedly attempting to flee to China. Authorities found multiple laptops, electronic storage devices and written materials in her possession when she was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport. (Mark Gomelsky via AP)
Investigators identified the liquid as acrylamide, a chemical that can “cause a number of health problems, including cancer,” according to the American Cancer Society. Authorities said Wang bought the substance on eBay. It was discovered after the victim’s wife tested water from the coffee maker he used to prepare tea.
During an Oct. 5 interview with campus police, Wang said she “had not used acrylamide in years,” court documents state. She was arrested the next day, Oct. 6, at Los Angeles International Airport. Prosecutors allege she was attempting to return to China, her country of origin.
At the airport, Wang had “multiple laptops, multiple portable external digital storage devices, related accessories, physical records and written materials,” according to prosecutors’ request to raise her $200,000 bond. After she was extradited to Wyoming, the bond was increased to $1.5 million in cash.
The affidavit describes the victim’s work as federally funded research into “new technology for cancer, neurological and genetic disease treatment.” It also states that Wang had no apparent reason to search through his desk.
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A University of Wyoming graduate student is accused of poisoning a fellow researcher working on federally funded cancer and disease treatments before allegedly attempting to flee to China with multiple laptops and electronic storage devices. (Don and Melinda Crawford/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Mark Gomelsky, a University of Wyoming microbiology professor who supervised both graduate students, described the allegations to News Media as a “horrifying and surreal experience.”
Speaking to The Associated Press, Gomelsky said, “It’s been disheartening, to say the least, to see that one of your student’s life is in jeopardy and another student may be responsible for that.”
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“That was one of the worst shocks in my professional career,” Gomelsky said.
Gomelsky said the alleged victim is a highly accomplished student from Vietnam. He said Wang failed her first dissertation defense and became envious after her colleague developed a method using bacteria to deliver RNA to human cells.
According to the professor, the victim began experiencing extreme fatigue and an inability to sleep soon after attending a prestigious conference in August.
Gomelsky said the alleged poisoning’s effects have continued, including difficulty concentrating.
“Acrylamide is a neurotoxin that cannot be neutralized so it stays in neurons and basically kills them. So it’s unclear if he’ll fully recover or not,” Gomelsky said.
The national flags of China and the United States are seen flying outside a commercial building on March 17, 2026, in Hong Kong, China. (Cheng Xin/Getty Images)
Gomelsky said Wang had not worked in the laboratory since June because she was focusing on her dissertation.
Wang was charged with aggravated assault and battery in Wyoming, which carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years and a $10,000 fine.
Tak Sumaya, an assistant professor at the University of Wyoming who helped identify the chemical allegedly used to poison the male victim, said he was working on “a pretty promising cancer therapy method.”
A University of Wyoming spokesman pointed News Media to a statement from its president.
“The university takes matters involving the health and safety of the campus community seriously and remains committed to providing a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors,” University of Wyoming President Shane Reeves said.
News Media reached out to Wang for comment.