A man whose grandson was beaten to death last year in a domestic violence case that made headlines nationwide has been found guilty of assaulting the then-suspect in the infant’s death.
Chen Tai-yuan (陳泰源) was given a 60-day detention term earlier this week, which can be converted to a fine, for punching and kicking Ko Wen-chan (柯文展) on Aug. 20 last year at his grandson’s funeral.
Ko’s live-in girlfriend, surnamed Chou (周), had been taking care of Chen’s five-month-old grandson.
Chou took the unconcious baby to a Taoyuan hospital on Aug. 6, where doctors found he had a broken skull, brain hemorrhaging, bone fractures in all four limbs and bruises all over his body. He later died in hospital.
Ko had repeatedly beaten and abused the baby and he was later arrested and charged over the baby’s death.
He was found guilty by the Taoyuan District Court in March and given a 15-year jail sentence.
Ko filed charges of bodily harm and making threats against Chen after the confrontation at the funeral, saying he had suffered injuries to his head and back.
Ko said Chen had threatened him by saying: “I would like your daughter to feel what it is like to have broken arms and legs.”
Chen admitted hitting Ko, but denied making any threats.
He said he had only told Ko: “When you look after a child, do not let what happened to my grandson happen to it.”
The judge in Chen’s case said it was understandable for him to be angry and unable to keep his emotions in check when seeing the man who had beaten his grandson so badly, but making a threat and causing harm are criminal offenses.
Chen can appeal the verdict.
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