article_snippet.sent: Norma Esparza could not be forced to testify and Van was released.
article_snippet.sent: The prosecution alleges Van was aided by Tran and Tran's wife Diane Tran as well as Tran's employee Shannon Gries.
article_snippet.sent: Van is charged with murder during the commission of a kidnapping.
article_snippet.sent: If convicted, Van could get life in prison without the possibility of parole.
article_snippet.sent: Shannon Gries has taken a plea deal and was expected to testify against Van.
article_snippet.sent: While Van was arrested in 1996, Van was released because Esparza could not be forced to testify against Shannon Gries husband, Van said.
article_snippet.sent: The prosecution alleges Van was aided by Van friend Kody Tran (center)  and Tran's wife Diane Tran (right) as well as Tran's employee Shannon Gries (left).
article_snippet.sent: Kody Tran has taken a plea deal and will testify against Van.