Judge Hou Ting-chang Nominated as Control Yuan Member; Legal Circles: He Adheres to Evidence-Based Sentencing, Not an Abolitionist

(Central News Agency, reporter Liu Shih-yi, Taipei, June 11) President Lai Ching-te today nominated Taiwan High Court Judge Hou Ting-chang to serve as a Control Yuan member. Judge Hou presided over three cases, including the Tomson throat-slitting murder case, and has been referred to by some as a judge who does not impose the death penalty. However, those familiar with his rulings believe he adheres to the principle of evidence-based adjudication in applying sentence reductions and is not an abolitionist judge.

Hou Ting-chang graduated from the Department of Law at National Chung Hsing University and holds an LL.M. from Georgetown University in the United States. He completed the 36th class of the Judicial Officers Training Institute. He presided over the Tomson throat-slitting murder case, the Tainan District Court lawyer death case, and the Hsinchu tire shop arson case that killed eight people. Due to thorough evidence investigation, he found that the defendants met the statutory mitigating circumstances of mental impairment under Article 19 of the Criminal Code and voluntary surrender under Article 62, sentencing them to life imprisonment, which was upheld by higher courts.

Legal professionals familiar with the rulings believe that Judge Hou is not an abolitionist judge but rather adheres to the principle of evidence-based adjudication. When evidence supports statutory mitigating circumstances, he applies the reduction as required, and his rulings do not reflect an abolitionist ideology.

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim announced today that President Lai Ching-te will nominate former Taiwan Association for Human Rights President Chen Yong-hsing as President of the Control Yuan, current Control Yuan member Wang Jung-chang as Vice President, and 27 others including Pingtung Urban and Rural Development Cultural and Educational Foundation Chairperson Liao Wan-ju, Taiwan High Court Judge and Chief Judge Hou Ting-chang, and Supreme Prosecutors Office Chief Clerk Lin Li-ying as Control Yuan members, requesting the Legislative Yuan to exercise its consent power. (Editor: Chang Ming-kun) 1150611