Austin Powers Villain Charged With Murder, May Face Death Penalty

Joe Son, best known as the Austin Powers villain “Random Task,” has been charged with murder, and sources say that the death penalty is on the table.

Son is already serving 15 years to life in California’s Wasco State Prison after he was charged in 2008 for participating in a 1990s gang rape. In 2011, he allegedly killed his 50-year-old cellmate, Thomas Graham.

Graham was serving two years for failing to register as a sex offender. He had a previous conviction for lewd and lascivious behavior with a child under the age of 14.

Son is said to have killed Graham with a series of punches and kicks. Sources told TMZ that the brutality of the murder will be a factor in whether prosecutors pursue the death penalty, which is said to be on the table.

In addition to his film career, Son was also an MMA fighter before his imprisonment. He appeared in UFC 4 in 1994 but lost to his opponent. He lost his other three fights, ending his MMA career with a 0-4 record.

In 1997, he appeared in Austin Powers as villain “Random Task,” a parody of the iconic Goldfinger villain Oddjob. Instead of throwing his hat, he threw his shoe. Who throws a shoe, honestly?

He also appeared in a handful of other films you’ve likely never heard of. Among the, the first two Shootfighter films and a Lorenzo Lamas movie, Viper.

In 2008, Son pleaded guilty to a felony vandalism charge, and was required to turn over a DNA sample as part of his deal. The sample was linked to a 1990s gang rape. Son and an accomplice kidnapped, tortured and raped a woman repeatedly before letting her go with her underwear tied around her eyes.

Son told her she was “lucky” before letting her go.

The original charges against him were dropped due to statute of limitations, so prosecutors charged him with conspiracy to commit torture and murder (charges which do not have statute of limitations). He was found guilty and imprisoned.

I’d make some throwaway comment about being an Austin Powers villain turned real-life villain, but it looks like Joe Son was the latter before he was the former.