In a final verdict yesterday, the Supreme Court upheld an earlier decision to sentence Wang Ching-yu (王景玉) to life in prison for beheading a four-year-old girl.
New Power Party Legislator Claire Wang (王婉諭), the mother of the girl, known as “Little Light Bulb” (小燈泡), said in a statement that she was disappointed by the verdict.
The killing occurred on March 28, 2016, when Claire Wang and her daughter were walking to an MRT station in Taipei’s Neihu District (內湖).
Photo: CNA
Wang Ching-yu grabbed the child from behind and beheaded her with a cleaver.
In the first retrial at the High Court in January this year, Claire Wang appealed the decision to sentence Wang Ching-yu to life in prison, saying he deserved the death sentence as he posed a threat to the public if paroled.
The nation does not yet have a well-functioning social safety net for people with mental disorders, she said at the time.
Doctors involved in Wang Chin-yu’s prosecution said that although diagnosed with schizophrenia, he was cognitively normal during the attack and was able to control himself.
The High Court decided against imposing the death penalty, as it said that Wang Ching-yu’s schizophrenia could improve with proper treatment, reducing the likelihood of him committing a crime again.
Wang Ching-yu’s family was not aware of his condition and he had not received psychiatric treatment, a court statement said.
After the murder, Claire Wang became an advocate, often speaking out for victims of crime and their families.
She has served as a lawmaker since February.
“To be very honest, each step we have taken has been very difficult, please forgive us for our feelings of sorrow and agony,” Claire Wang said in a statement yesterday, explaining her reason for wanting the death penalty.
“However, as the justice system has made its decision, we hope the judiciary can genuinely address the treatment of convicted criminals,” so that they can be rehabilitated properly, and “all members of the public do not have to run the risk of them committing a crime again,” she said.
“We will focus on to improving the problems and predicaments faced by victims and their families, and working hard on fixing the deficiencies in our social safety net, so that ... the disadvantaged can have a pillar to rely on, and every child can grow up in health and security,” the statement read.
“We thank all members of the public who gave their empathy and support to the victim’s family. We will keep the sorrow to ourselves, and place our hope in making reforms,” she said.
“We ask that everyone who gave their support in this particular case to transform that support into a force for change,” she added.
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday thanked Palau for its continued support of Taiwan's international participation, as Taipei was once again excluded from the World Health Assembly (WHA) currently taking place in Switzerland. "Palau has never stopped voicing support for Taiwan" in the UN General Assembly, the WHO and other UN-affiliated agencies, Lai said during a bilateral meeting with visiting Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. "We have been profoundly touched by these endorsements," Lai said, praising the Pacific island nation's firm support as "courageous." Lai's remarks came as Taiwan was excluded for the ninth consecutive year from the WHA, which is being held in
RESOLUTIONS DEBATE: Taiwan’s allies said that UN and WHA resolutions cited by China and other nations ‘do not determine Taiwan’s participation in WHO activities’ A proposal to invite Taiwan to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was rejected on Monday, resulting in Taipei’s absence from the annual meeting for a ninth consecutive year, although partners spoke up for Taiwan’s participation at the first day of the meeting. The first agenda item after the opening was a “two-on-two debate” on a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate at the WHA as an observer. Similar to previous years, two countries made statements in favor of the proposal, while two others expressed their opposition. Philippine Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa, president of the 78th WHA, accepted the WHA General Committee’s
At least three people died and more than a dozen were injured yesterday afternoon when a vehicle struck a group of pedestrians in New Taipei City’s Sansia District (三峽). The incident happened at about 4pm when a car rammed into pedestrians at an intersection near Bei Da Elementary School. Witnesses said the sedan, being driven at a high speed, ran a red light, knocking scooters out of the way and hitting students crossing the road before careening into a median near the intersection of Guocheng and Guoguang streets. The incident resulted in three deaths and 13 injuries, including the driver, a 78-year-old man
RSS