Hsichih Trio appeal death sentences, want open trial

The three defendants known as the "Hsichih Trio" yesterday appealed their death sentences to the Supreme Court, asking it to proceed to a hearing that would be open to the public.

Meanwhile, the High Court yesterday rejected an application by the Taiwan High Court Prosecutors' Office asking it to detain the three defendants.

The High Court on Friday reversed its 2003 acquittal of the three defendants, Su Chien-ho (蘇建和), Liu Bing-lang (劉秉郎) and Chuang Lin-hsun (莊林勳), and sentenced them to death.

They became the first defendants in the country's history to be sentenced to death without being remanded in custody.

"The three defendants, who have a high media profile, are unlikely to flee during their trial. In addition, the High Court has prohibited them from leaving the country. As a result, the High Court considers it unnecessary to detain the trio," the court said in a press statement yesterday.

The trio went to the High Court building yesterday to file their appeals to the Supreme Court.

"We would never flee during a trial," Su told reporters outside the High Court building.

open hearing

The trio's defense lawyer, Hsu Wen-ping (許文彬), said: "We asked the Supreme Court to proceed with an open hearing to decide the case and we are confident that the Supreme Court will rule that the trio are not guilty."

Although the Supreme Court normally examines appeals on an assessment basis, it is also able to hold open hearings for appeals, Hsu said.

When the Supreme Court handed down its ruling in February 1995, affirming the trio's death sentences, more than 40 judges signed a statement supporting the verdict, he said. Hsu said the defendants have asked the Supreme Court to avoid using any of those judges for the new hearing as they are concerned about any potential bias.

murders

Su, Liu and Chuang were originally convicted in 1991 of the murders of Wu Ming-han (吳銘漢) and his wife, Yeh Ying-lan (葉盈蘭), whose dead bodies were found at their home in Hsichih, Taipei County, with more than 77 stab wounds.

Remaining on death row for more than 11 years, the trio were freed in 2003 after the High Court overturned their sentences. But later the same year, the Supreme Court ruled that the High Court should re-examine the case.

The High Court on Friday handed down its verdict, reinstating the death sentences.