Chen to grant pardon to rice bomber

DPP caucus whip Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) said the presidential pardon was a positive response to the consensus reached in the legislature crossed party lines and that was in line with the public's expectations.

Jeopardizing security

Kaohsiung prosecutor Chang Hsueh-ming (張學明), however, said he did not support the a pardon for Yang because his behavior had jeopardized public security and law enforcement authorities had spent so much time and resources to break the case.

"Others might imitate Yang if they are dissatisfied with something," Chang told the Taipei Times in a telephone interview.

Because Yang's actions should not be encouraged, the ministry was likely to suggest that Chen pardon Yang but keep his criminal conviction on the books, Lee said.

Additional reporting by Flora Wang