In 2024, a monastery murder occurred at the "Shuiyue Caotang" in Da'an District, Taipei City. Buddhist writer Wang Xiu (real name Wang Jiangzhen) was accused of collaborating with cadres and believers to harm a female accountant named Cai to death. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison in the first instance. After the case was appealed, the High Court ruled that Wang Xiu should be released on bail of 6 million yuan and subject to technological surveillance. After the High People's Procuratorate protested, the Supreme Court revoked and remanded the case. During the interrogation held by the High Court today, Wang Xu said that he had complied with the regulations for more than 40 days after being released on bail, "did everything he promised the judge," and promised not to flee. When asked about his current living situation, he said he lived with his fiancée and girlfriend, and his residence was registered under a borrowed name under the name of a doctor.
In the first instance, Wang Xiu was sentenced to 12 years in prison for crimes such as injury causing death. The High Court considered that his involvement in the case was serious, and he had instructed the establishment of a team to respond to the prosecutor's investigation after Cai's death. There was a risk of fleeing and colluding with accomplices and witnesses, so he was previously ordered to be detained. However, in August this year, Wang Xiu applied for detention on the grounds that he had reconciled with the deceased's family and fulfilled his contract. The High Court ruled that he should pay 6 million yuan in bail, be restricted from living in the country, travel abroad for eight months, and be subject to technological surveillance.
Unexpectedly, Wang Xu was prosecuted by Beijing Prosecutor Liao Weizhong in September for another case. He was accused of imprisoning and abusing a female believer named Jiang who had followed him for more than 20 years, resulting in blindness in his left eye and severe damage to the right hip joint. The High People's Procuratorate was dissatisfied with Wang Xu's bail and lodged a protest. The Supreme Court found that the protest was justified, revoked the original ruling, and sent the case back to the High Court for a further ruling.
The High Court held an interrogation today. Prosecutors from the High People's Procuratorate argued that the reason for Wang Xiu's detention still exists. The defendant was sentenced to 12 years in the first trial for injuring a female accountant named Cai to death. The criminal liability involved is serious and there is a high risk of escape, especially with his ex-wife who has a total of 130 million yuan. In Yuan's litigation over the distribution of remaining property between husband and wife, the defendant practices in more than 10 places. He has been engaged in religion for 30 years and has many students and believers. He has strong financial resources and still has unshakable authority. There was a new case on September 4. Both cases are leaders and should continue to be detained.
Wang Xu claimed that he had promised the judge to abide by the regulations. Since he posted bail for more than 40 days, he had reported regularly in the morning and evening. He also took the initiative to call the Science and Technology Control Center to ask if he had received a report. He had done what he promised the judge, and he also promised not to flee.
Wang Shui’s defense lawyer said that many defendants are still arguing over the cause of Cai’s death, which is related to whether Wang Shui was involved in a felony. As for another case of abuse of a female believer named Jiang, it has nothing to do with this case. Wang Shui’s many lecture halls are rented. Although he holds some real estate, he cannot realize it at any time. The prosecutor has overestimated his financial resources. Wang Xiu had previously paid a high deposit of 6 million yuan, which was much higher than other defendants. He also actively reconciled and compensated the family of the deceased, which shows that there is no risk of escape.
The appointed judge asked Wang Xiu about his current living situation and who he lived with. Wang Xiu said that he lived with his fiancée and girlfriend. Since the house was leaking, his students would help repair it. The house was registered under the name of a doctor named Chi. The actual owner was his students who bought it together. However, he has not been in contact with the doctor surnamed Chi for a long time.
As for how he lives now, Wang Xu said that he relies on his previous savings. However, prosecutors questioned that Wang Sui's statements were inconsistent. He once said that his financial resources were overestimated, and he had little contact with students after paying bail, but he would ask students to repair their houses.
The appointed judge said that the court would rest for 20 minutes. After the hearing, the collegial panel immediately deliberated. After deliberation, it was determined that Wang Shui was at high risk of fleeing and was detained in court.
