Changhua domestic violence man stabbed his ex-wife to death 18 times in front of his children and was sentenced to life imprisonment

A murder occurred in Erlin Town, Changhua County in November 2024. A 61-year-old man named Li, because he was unable to demand 650,000 yuan from his ex-wife named Cai to repay gambling debts, and because she was jealous of her new boyfriend, he ignored the presence of a pair of children and stabbed his ex-wife 18 times with a kitchen knife to death; In the first instance, the Changhua District People's Judge Court sentenced Li to life imprisonment and deprived him of public rights for life for the crime of murder; in the second instance, the Taichung Branch of the High Court rejected Li's appeal. The Supreme Court believed that the original judgment was correct and the sentence was appropriate. It rejected the appeal and upheld the life sentence.

The verdict pointed out that after the deceased Cai Nv and Li Nan divorced, Li Nan still lived in Toutian House, Erlin Town, owned by Cai Nv's mother. Cai Nv moved out because she could not bear Li Nan's bad habits of domestic violence. However, because her elderly mother was bedridden, Cai Nv had to return home frequently to take care of her, and sometimes met the irritable Nian Li. Before the incident, she had applied for a protection order to prevent Li Nan from approaching her and her children.

Unexpectedly, on November 16, 2024, Cai Nv returned to her parents' home with her 28-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son to visit her mother. Li Nan, who had been drinking, was dissatisfied that his ex-wife was driven home by her boyfriend. Li Nan asked his ex-wife for money to repay his gambling debts but was rejected. Li Nan became angry and beat Cai Nv with his fists, and then held a fruit knife to his ex-wife's neck. There was a serious pull between the two parties. The daughter pushed Li Nan and the fruit knife fell to the ground.

Li Nan went to the kitchen to get a kitchen knife and pinned his ex-wife to the ground. His ex-wife was dying and shouted to her daughter and son, "Run!". Li Nan slashed his ex-wife's neck, chest, upper limbs and other places 18 times with knives. The knife broke the bones. Ms. Cai lost too much blood and lost her heartbeat on the spot. After her family called the police, she was sent to the hospital for emergency treatment. She was pronounced dead due to excessive blood loss and fatal injuries. After Li Nan committed the murder, he fled to a nearby hardware store and wanted to buy a knife. He was immediately arrested by the police who arrived.

During the trial at the Changhua District People's Judge's Court, Cai's family members believed that Li Nan's methods were cruel and hoped to be sentenced to death. Although Li Nan argued that "if he did it again, he would not do it again," the people's judge believed that his purpose was only to fear a severe punishment and showed no remorse and respect for life. He also failed to compensate his family after the crime. During the murder, he changed knives within a short time and continued to attack, which showed that he had a determined intention to kill. Therefore, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder.

The second trial of the Taichung High Court concluded in July this year that Li Nan's appeal was unfounded and dismissed the appeal, but still sentenced him to life imprisonment. After Li Nan appealed, the Supreme Court still believed that the sentence of life imprisonment was appropriate, dismissed the appeal, and the entire case was settled.

☆If people encounter violence in cohabiting relationships, they can call the 113 protection hotline or seek help from local government domestic violence prevention and control centers. ☆