Oral arguments yesterday ended in the trial of a woman accused of attempting to murder an Australian exchange student in 2023, with prosecutors recommending that she be jailed for 12 years, up from "at least" eight asked for in the indictment.
A ruling in the case is scheduled for July 22.
The woman, surnamed Yang (楊), was indicted in December 2024 on attempted murder charges for allegedly trying to poison an Australian student named Alex Shorey with the rodenticide superwarfarin on multiple occasions in 2023. Shorey was 24 when the incidents occurred.
Photo: Taipei Times file photo
Taipei prosecutors said she was trying to stop him from leaving Taiwan.
Appearing emotional at yesterday’s hearing in Taipei, Yang repeatedly denied poisoning Shorey or intending to harm him.
She also said that prosecutors mistranslated English-language evidence and took statements out of context, and were fabricating accusations against her.
The rodenticide found in her home was for a possible suicide attempt so she that could reunite with her late husband, Yang said.
Shorey's medical records and the recurring nature of his symptoms indicated that Yang had poisoned him three times, prosecutors said, adding that her statements had been inconsistent throughout the investigation.
They also cited a psychiatric evaluation showing that Yang did not suffer from any major mental illness, and accused her of feigning illness in an attempt to evade criminal responsibility.
Yang has continued to deny the charges and made no effort to seek a settlement or offer compensation, demonstrating no remorse for her actions, prosecutors said.
They therefore recommended a prison sentence of more than 12 years, higher than the sentence of "at least" eight years recommended in their December 2024 indictment.
The Taipei District Court summoned Shorey to testify in the trial in March.
Shorey testified that he had informed Yang in March 2023 of his plan to return to Australia the following month.
Two days later, Yang gave him a glass of grape juice with a "weird taste," after which he developed severe symptoms including nosebleeds, vomiting and blood in his urine, Shorey said.
Shorey also testified that he had dated another woman and been sexually involved with her, and that Yang appeared frustrated, angry and "might have been jealous" at the time.
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