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Rice bomber's lawyer says he has divine inspiration

Changhua lawyer Chang Ting-chen (張庭禎), who is currently defending "rice bomber" Yang Ju-men (楊儒門), said that he enjoys dealing with controversial cases because Chikung (濟公) will inspire him and tell him what to do in court.

In addition to being a lawyer, Chang doubles as a chikung, or spiritual medium, at a local Taoist temple. That means whenever he is working, he speaks and acts on behalf of Chikung.

In the Taoist religion, Chikung is a monk who loves to help people. Unlike average monks, Chikung eats meat, drinks alcohol and acts crazy while actually being smart. Chikung never takes a shower, but he always helps the poor. According to Taoist lore, one of Buddha's birds broke a rule in heaven and had to be punished. However, the bird escaped to earth, so Chikung was asked to come to earth to find the bird.

"Like Chikung, I also like to help people," Chang said. "Whenever I am lost, Chikung will always show me the way and clear my mind."

Chang said that his love of a good challenge leads him to take on difficult and out-of-the-ordinary legal cases.

"Defending unusual cases always helps spark new ideas for my next cases," he said. "I love that feeling."

The man he is currently defending, who earned the name the "rice bomber" because he often left rice on or near his explosives, is charged with violating the Gun Control Act (槍砲彈藥管制條例). He faces a maximum sentence of death, though this is thought to be an unlikely outcome.

Yang is currently held at the Taipei Detention Center. He admitted responsibility for 17 bomb incidents in northern Taiwan, mostly in Taipei City. He also admitted that a bomb "attack" on a train traveling between Keelung and Chunan on Feb. 2 last year was his work.

The serial bomb threats began on Oct. 27, 2003. Yang would add explosive powder and a small packet of rice to the devices he left behind. In addition, he left notes or letters at the scene expressing opposition to rice imports and support for local rice farmers.
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