Lawyer for Hsichih Trio proud of his dedication

In 1972, Su became a judge at the Taipei District Court and worked there until he was promoted to become a presiding judge at the Yunlin District Court in 1980.

In that same year, he decided to quit his post at the Yunlin District Court and became a lawyer dedicating to fighting for human rights.

"I could not stand the pressure of the possibility of misruling as a judge, so I decided to leave the court," he said.

In the Hsichih Trio case, Su has dedicated himself and tried various ways to clear the trio.

Many of Su's co-workers and family members thought that he was just trying to get famous by taking the case and decided to keep a distance from him.

Taiwan High Court Presiding Judge Lee Hsiang-chu (李相助), who comes from Su's hometown and was also a colleague of Su's at the Taipei District Court, parted company with Su. Lee was the presiding judge who ruled to uphold the death sentences against the trio during their third retrial on Oct. 26, 1994.

Su said he doesn't regret what he has lost as a result of his dedication to the case.

"This case has been the most meaningful case for me throughout my legal career. And even though it is not a done deal yet, I have never regretted what I have done and am proud of my own work. I did not waste the past 12 years in my life," he said.