Hong Kong court terminates trial after defendant dies in custody
Quick Look
A Hong Kong High Court terminated the trial of Wen Wenye, accused in a 1991 robbery and murder, after he died in custody at age 62 during trial adjournment, with the judge instructing jurors at the time of his discovery unconscious in the holding cell.
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Why It Matters
The trial concerned a deadly shooting during a botched robbery at Shun Fat Company, a second-hand goods shop in Sham Shui Po, on June 9, 1991, in which Wen Wenye allegedly participated.
A Hong Kong court has terminated a trial arising from a deadly shooting during a botched robbery three decades ago after the defendant died in custody earlier this week.
The High Court on Wednesday discharged a seven-member jury presiding over the trial of Wen Wenye, who allegedly took part in the murder and attempted robbery at Shun Fat Company, a second-hand goods shop in Sham Shui Po, on June 9, 1991.
A government statement on Monday said Wen, 62, died in hospital that afternoon after he was found unconscious in the court’s holding cell during the trial’s adjournment. The presiding judge was giving instructions to jurors at the time, ahead of their closed-door deliberation.
Open Questions
- What was the cause of Wen Wenye's unconsciousness and subsequent death?
- Will any co-defendants in the 1991 case face continued prosecution?
- Are there procedural implications for trials where defendants die during proceedings?
