A panel of citizen judges in Taiwan sentenced a business owner to life imprisonment on Friday. This landmark ruling followed a horrific kidnapping and torture case in Taichung. The citizen judges convicted thirty-two-year-old Liu Shih-hui and three accomplices. They found the group guilty of confining and torturing a twenty-eight-year-old man to death. Consequently, this case demonstrates the serious role of citizen judges in major criminal trials.
The Taichung District Court heard this particularly brutal case over recent months. Liu previously served as a deputy head in a local police support association. He hired the victim, surnamed Hsu, as an assistant back in 2020. Financial disputes then reportedly fueled repeated arguments between the two men. The conflict ultimately escalated into a violent and deadly confrontation last October.
Prosecutors presented extensive evidence gathered from the crime scene. This evidence included graphic videos filmed by the perpetrators themselves. The assailants used a hammer, baseball bat, and blowtorch during the torture. They also forced the victim to ingest liquids containing narcotic substances. An autopsy later confirmed that beating and torture directly caused the victim’s death.
The prosecution emphasized the defendant’s complete lack of remorse after the crime. Liu also attempted to cover up his actions following the victim’s death. He has furthermore failed to settle on compensation for the grieving family. Therefore, prosecutors strongly advocated for the maximum possible punishment. The citizen judges ultimately agreed with this assessment for the principal offender.
The court delivered its final verdict after reviewing all evidence and testimony. Liu received a life sentence plus a lifelong deprivation of his civil rights. His accomplices received prison terms ranging from twelve to thirteen years. All defendants retain the right to appeal this initial verdict legally. The case now sets a significant precedent for future trials using the citizen judge system.
This high-profile trial underscores evolving judicial practices in Taiwan. The citizen judge system aims to incorporate broader public perspectives into law. This case specifically tested that system with exceptionally brutal and shocking facts. Legal observers will now monitor any potential appeal from the defense team. The ruling ultimately highlights civic duty within the serious realm of criminal justice.
