Defendant in fatal assault case hospitalized before trial; judge cancels hearing

(Central News Agency, Hsieh Chun-lin, Taipei, June 2) The Taipei District Court was scheduled to hear the case of a worker surnamed Chou, accused of pushing a traffic volunteer surnamed Huang to his death. Before the hearing, Chou's lawyer informed the judge that Chou had been rushed to the hospital with sudden heart failure and pulmonary edema and could not attend. After verifying the facts, the judge canceled the hearing and ordered it to be rescheduled.

According to a civil judgment from the New Taipei District Court, Huang's family alleged that on November 11, 2022, Chou and Huang argued over a construction site location at an intersection on Section 1, Xinglong Road, Taipei. Chou allegedly pushed Huang, causing him to hit his head on the ground and lose consciousness. Chou then dragged Huang to the sidewalk and left him there, causing severe head injuries that led to Huang's death on March 20, 2024.

In the civil case, Chou denied the allegations, claiming Huang had attempted to strike him first and that he did not push Huang with both hands.

In the civil proceedings, the New Taipei District Court ordered Chou to pay 2.1 million NTD in damages to Huang's family in December 2024. The criminal case was indicted by the Taipei District Prosecutors Office and is being heard by the Taipei District Court's lay judge panel.

The court announced that after consulting with the lay judges, the hearing was canceled due to the defendant's legitimate medical reasons. Future dates will be arranged based on his recovery. Defense counsel stated that Chou is still experiencing breathing difficulties and slow speech.

The court also issued a notice canceling the hearings originally scheduled for today through the 9th, as well as the issuance of public gallery passes.