Retired Police Officer in Chiayi Sentenced to 5 Years 10 Months and 12 Years 6 Months for Murder, Sentences Finalized

(Central News Agency, Taipei, July 3) Hou Hongdian, a retired criminal police officer from Chiayi County, was accused of shooting and killing a man surnamed Zhang over land excavation profits. The first trial sentenced him to life imprisonment. In the second trial, Hou pleaded guilty and reached a settlement with the victim's family for NT$8 million. He was then sentenced to 5 years and 10 months and 12 years and 6 months for the two charges, respectively. The Supreme Court recently rejected the appeal, finalizing the sentences.

Hou Hongdian, nicknamed "Red Dot," was accused of shooting and killing Mr. Zhang in January 2012 over land excavation profits. The first trial at the Chiayi District Court found him guilty of illegal possession of a non-standard firearm and joint commission of murder. He was to serve a combined sentence of life imprisonment, be deprived of civil rights for life, and pay a fine of NT$50,000, with one day of labor equivalent to NT$1,000.

Hou Hongdian appealed the verdict. The second trial, handled by the Tainan Branch of the Taiwan High Court, overturned the first trial's judgment. Hou Hongdian was sentenced to 5 years and 10 months for illegal possession of a non-standard firearm, with a fine of NT$40,000 (one day of labor equivalent to NT$1,000). For the charge of joint commission of murder, he was sentenced to 12 years and 6 months.

The Tainan High Court considered that Hou Hongdian pleaded guilty and reached a settlement of NT$8 million with the victim's family, which he had fully fulfilled. Therefore, it overturned the first trial's judgment and issued a new sentence. However, Hou Hongdian had another case with a finalized sentence, and considering the combined sentence, the court did not determine the final executable sentence at that time.

After the appeal, the Supreme Court reviewed the case and found no errors in the second trial's findings of fact or application of law, and the sentencing was appropriate. On July 1, the appeal was rejected, and the case was finalized. The prosecution will apply to the court to determine the final executable sentence. (Editor: Chen Renhua) 1150703

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