Former Deputy Captain of New Taipei City Criminal Investigation Division Denies Charges of Leaking Information; Decision Pending on Whether to Proceed with Lay Judge Trial

(Central News Agency, reporter Cao Yayan, New Taipei, July 7) Zheng, former deputy captain of the First Investigation Team of the New Taipei City Criminal Investigation Division, is accused of accepting banquets from a triad and leaking case information, and has been indicted on charges of corruption and leaking secrets. Zheng pleaded not guilty in court today. Regarding whether to proceed with the lay judge trial, the prosecution stated that the case files are complex, while the defense argued for its necessity, leaving the decision to the court.

According to the indictment, in July 2023, when Zheng served as an investigator in the First Investigation Team of the New Taipei City Criminal Investigation Division, he took team members and others to the Yi Xiang Lou restaurant in Taipei, where he was treated to a banquet by Wang Huai-gong, head of the Hai Ji Tang branch of the Four Seas Gang. This was in exchange for leaking information about a spiritual niche fraud case. Two days later, he revealed information about the case's interview targets to Wang Huai-gong, promising to "handle it simply."

In November of the same year, Zheng allegedly transmitted the investigation progress of another fraud case to Wang Huai-gong, and later accepted banquets and gifts of tea from Wang Huai-gong. In March of this year, the New Taipei District Prosecutor's Office indicted Zheng on charges of violating the Anti-Corruption Act and the Criminal Code for leaking secrets.

The New Taipei District Court held a preparatory hearing today, where Zheng denied all charges. Additionally, both the prosecution and defense requested that Wang Huai-gong be summoned to appear in court. Wang Huai-gong is currently a fugitive from the New Taipei District Prosecutor's Office. The prosecution stated that if he does not appear, they will issue another summons and arrest warrant.

As the crime involved carries a minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, the Lay Judge Act applies to the trial. However, the prosecution argued that the trial will involve the submission of a large volume of documentary evidence and translations, and the expected testimony of multiple witnesses, with each witness's questioning potentially lasting 1 to 1.5 hours. They requested the judge to consider the complexity of the case files to determine if it is suitable for a lay judge trial.

Zheng's defense team, on the other hand, argued that the case's points of contention are clear and the facts are simple, with no complex legal issues that would be difficult for lay judges to understand. They also estimated that, excluding Wang Huai-gong, approximately 10 witnesses will be called, and the trial could still be concluded within 10 days, making a lay judge trial both necessary and feasible. After deliberation, the collegiate bench announced that a decision is pending and will be announced later. Appeals can be filed if dissatisfied with the ruling. (Editor: Chen Renhua) 1150707

Stand with facts, your every donation is a force to protect press freedom

Download the CNA "First Hand News" APP to grasp the latest news in real-time

This website's text, images, and videos may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.