Second Trial in Drugged Driving Police Killing Case: Wife Weeps, 'Child Wants a Father Too'

(CNA reporter Liu Shih-yi, Taipei, June 15) Chen Chiaying, a woman sentenced to death for drugged driving, refusing inspection, and fatally colliding with and dragging police station chief Liu Tsung-hsin, faced her second trial today. Chen stated she accepts extended detention to face her wrongdoing. The deceased officer's wife tearfully told reporters she was heartbroken upon hearing her child say, 'I want a dad too.'

Before the trial, the widow spoke outside Taiwan's High Court, weeping as she said it was Police Day but her husband could not celebrate. When reading bedtime stories, her child said, 'I want a dad too. I miss Dad so much.' Though she hid her pain, she deeply wishes her husband were still alive.

She urged the court to uphold the death sentence, stating that justice and social order must not yield to the rights of murderers, and society must understand the severe consequences of taking a police officer's life.

The victim's father said each trial exhausts him emotionally, as his son's brutal death remains vivid in his mind. 'My heart is dead; I am a living corpse,' he said, vowing to fight until justice is served.

During the hearing, Chen denied murder but admitted to causing death by injury, obstruction of duty, public endangerment, and drugged driving. Regarding her detention ending July 1, she expressed no objection and requested immediate extension, acknowledging her guilt and willingness to face consequences.

The defense argued that the first trial's video evidence lacked verbatim records and thus should be re-examined. They also claimed the death penalty was imposed without proper sentencing debate, demanding strict scrutiny. Additionally, they requested a child welfare assessment for Chen's one-year-old son under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Prosecutors and the victim's legal representatives countered that the citizen judge trial followed legal procedures under Article 75 of the Citizen Judges Act, with video summaries sufficient for evidence. They argued a one-year-old lacks comprehension, making assessment unnecessary. The first trial had already considered Chen's family circumstances.

Judge Wang Yao-hsing concluded by urging Chen to reflect on the value of life. The panel will deliberate on the defense's requests in accordance with the Citizen Judges Act. The case is now pending further review.

On September 30, 2024 (Minguo Year 113), Liu Tsung-hsin, chief of the Chingshui Police Substation, Tucheng District, New Taipei City Police Department, was killed when Chen, under the influence of drugs, drove into and dragged him before hitting a guardrail. The New Taipei Prosecutors Office indicted her for murder and obstructing public duty by operating a motor vehicle. The first trial at New Taipei District Court's citizen judge panel sentenced Chen to death and lifelong deprivation of civil rights. The case is now under appeal at the High Court. (Edited by Lin Shu-hui) 1150615

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