All six defendants in a case that involved an alleged orgy on a train pleaded not guilty in the first hearing at the Banciao District Court yesterday.
Tsai Yu-lin (蔡育林), the alleged ringleader, was charged with offenses against sexual morality, on grounds that he induced an underage female to participate in a sex-for-money party.
Three men who allegedly served as lookouts and two women said to be waitresses were charged as accomplices. Prosecutors are seeking a six-month prison sentence for Tsai, and two-month sentences for the other five defendants.
Tsai showed up in court dressed normally, while his co-defendants tried to disguise their identities with face masks and wigs.
The six defendants asked the judge to allow closed-door proceedings, citing the sensitivity of the issue, but the court said closed-door sessions would be held only when the minor involved in the case testifies.
Tsai was accused of holding an orgy for profit, based on prosecutors’ evidence that there was money leftover after the party and the funds were not returned to the participants.
However, Tsai said in court he never intended to profit from the party. He said he had planned to return the surplus to the participants, but later felt it was too much trouble and so treated everyone to dinner instead.
The next court date has not been scheduled.
The alleged orgy took place on the Chukuang-class train between Taipei and Hsinchu on Feb. 19.
Eighteen men allegedly participated in the orgy with a 17-year-old female. No charges were brought against the 18, who allegedly paid NT$800 each to join the party. Prosecutors said there was no evidence to show they knew one of the females was a minor.
The incident led the Taiwan Railway Administration to change its train monitoring system and parlor-car leasing agreement.
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