Truck driver Chang Te-cheng (張德正) was sentenced to five years and 10 months in jail on charges of attempted murder for driving his truck into the Presidential Office Building, the Taipei District Court said yesterday.
Before the incident, Chang had been dissatisfied with a district court ruling that sentenced him to 40 days detention over charges of domestic violence. Chang said he had written two letters to the Presidential Office to complain about the ruling, but to no avail.
According to police records, Chang’s ex-wife accused him of domestic violence in December 2010.
Records state that Chang claimed self-defense, saying he was arguing with his ex-wife when his brother-in-law hit him, and in an ensuing scuffle, he hit his ex-wife.
Chang rammed the Presidential Office Bulding in January last year, causing no injuries to military police who were standing guard, but damaging the building, which is a designated historical site.
Chang was charged with attempted murder, obstruction of duty, damaging public property, damaging historical heritage and unsanctioned entrance to a residence, but the collegiate bench ruled Chang guilty of attempted murder.
The ruling could be appealed, the court said.
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