"It's so hard for me": An 80-year-old woman killed her sister because she couldn't bear the long-term care. The court prepares a bed for the trial

The 84-year-old Ye Fu killed her 91-year-old sister with a knife because she could not bear the pressure of long-term care. The National Judge of the Tainan District Court held a trial and she pleaded guilty in court. Both the prosecution and the defense will strive to reduce the sentence due to mercy. (provided by the public)

In May this year, a long-term care tragedy occurred in Tainan. An 84-year-old woman surnamed Ye, suspected of being unable to take care of her, killed her 91-year-old sister with a knife. Today, the national judge opened the preparatory court. She confided: "It's hard for me!" The judge considered her old age and will prepare a bed for questioning in the future court session. In the future, the prosecution and defense are fighting for commutation space under the criminal law.

The indictment stated that Ye Fu lived with her sister. In March this year, my sister fell down and needed the support of an assistive device and her husband to walk. In the evening of late April this year, Ye Fu had a heated argument with her sister over a care issue. She lost control of her emotions, entered the room with a fruit knife and a kitchen knife, and attacked her sister who was lying on the bed, causing her death on the spot. The whole case was subsequently submitted to the hospital for follow-up review.

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During the court session in the South Court, the presiding judge asked questions in Taiwanese throughout the process. Because Ms. Ye was old and had difficulty understanding, the judge asked the bailiff to wear a hearing aid for her to protect her rights. After confirming that the hearing was smooth, the judge asked whether she admitted to killing her sister. Ye Fu confided that she was in great pain, and with the help of her lawyer to explain, she confessed to the judge in a weak voice.

The prosecutor and the lawyer did not dispute the facts of the crime and did not advocate surrender. However, they agreed that Ye Fu was over 80 years old and qualified for a reduced sentence. The only point of dispute was whether she met the merciful circumstances of Article 59 of the Criminal Law in order to seek a further reduced sentence. The prosecution and defense are scheduled to call Ye's brother, two nephews and social workers to testify in court to clarify the pressure on family care before the incident.

The collegial panel selected a list of 300 national judges in court and is expected to make selections at the end of November. The presiding judge explained to Ye Fu that the follow-up trial is expected to take three days. Considering her advanced age, the court will prepare a bed in the courtroom. The judge warned that if you feel unwell, you can report it at any time, and instructed the bailiff to confirm the hearing aid equipment in advance to ensure that the procedure goes smoothly.

☆If you need care for disability and dementia, please call the 1966 long-term care service hotline. ☆