Berkeley Victim Releases Spy-Cam Footage as Poisoner Seeks Expungement

Key points

• Yuan installed a hidden camera in early 2019 after suspecting tampering, capturing Xu adding substances to her water bottle.
• Lab tests revealed cadmium levels in Yuan’s water up to 3.5 million times the federal safety limit.
• Xu pleaded no contest to one count of poisoning in 2023, receiving two years of probation and one day of jail credit.
• Yuan is now publicly sharing the footage to highlight the case as Xu petitions to expunge his conviction.
• The Alameda County District Attorney’s office opposes the expungement, but California law may require the judge to grant it if probation conditions were met.

Background

This story follows a 2019 arrest in Berkeley, California, where a workplace poisoning case stalled for years. The victim, Rong Yuan, suffered from unexplained symptoms for nearly two years before identifying the culprit through self-investigation. The case gained renewed attention in 2026 as the defendant, David Xu, completed his probation and sought to erase his criminal record, prompting the victim to go public for the first time.

How outlets are covering it

The San Francisco Standard provides the most detailed account, emphasizing the procedural failures, including the leniency granted by former District Attorney Pamela Price and the judge’s shock at the plea deal. The New York Post highlights the visual evidence and the stark contrast between the severity of the crime and the light punishment, focusing on the public reaction to the surveillance footage. The Times of India frames the story as a broader question of justice and workplace safety, noting the difficulty of diagnosing slow-onset poisoning. All sources agree on the core facts but differ in emphasis: The Standard focuses on the legal system’s failure, the Post on the shock value of the video, and the Times of India on the systemic issues of invisible crimes.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges victims face in proving slow-onset poisoning and the potential inadequacies of the legal system in punishing such crimes. It raises questions about expungement laws and whether they adequately protect victims from future harm, especially when defendants can erase their criminal records after minimal punishment. The public release of surveillance footage by the victim underscores the need for accountability and awareness in workplace safety and toxic exposure cases.

What to watch

David Xu’s expungement petition will be heard on October 12, 2026, in Alameda County Superior Court. Rong Yuan plans to attend the hearing to voice her opposition. The outcome will determine whether Xu’s felony conviction is formally dismissed, potentially affecting his future employment and background checks. Yuan’s public campaign may also influence public perception and legal discourse on poisoning cases and expungement laws.