By KHT Staff. Photo provided by a member of the public, via Liberty Times.
KAOHSIUNG — The High Court Kaohsiung Branch has upheld a nine-year, six-month prison sentence for an ex-convict convicted of breaking into his employer’s living quarters and attacking the family with a utility knife.
The defendant, surnamed Chen (陳), 45, had recently been released from prison when a factory owner in Daliao District (大寮), surnamed Yang (楊), hired him as a laborer, according to a Liberty Times report.
Chen had served seven years in prison after a series of drug and theft convictions, the report said.
The court found that Yang and his wife had treated Chen well, paid him on time, and had previously advanced him money when he needed help.
However, after Yang refused another loan request, Chen decided to attack the family, the court found.
The attack occurred late Oct. 27 last year at Yang’s factory, where the family was sleeping in living quarters behind the office.
Chen entered the area with a utility knife and slashed Yang in the neck as he slept, the court found. Yang woke up bleeding heavily, and his cries for help woke his wife, surnamed Tsai (蔡), and their 12-year-old son.
Tsai was cut on the hand while trying to stop the attack. Yang suffered two deep neck wounds that damaged blood vessels and muscle tissue, leaving him in critical condition.
The court also found that Chen chased and threatened the couple’s son. The boy struck the floor with a baseball bat to distract Chen, giving his parents time to escape into the office and call police.
The Kaohsiung District Court convicted Chen of attempted murder, aggravated robbery, injury, and intimidation.
Chen appealed and later denied that he intended to kill Yang.
The high court rejected that argument, saying Chen had previously spoken to relatives and friends about wanting to kill Yang. The court also cited blood evidence found on Chen’s clothing and said his earlier confessions had been made voluntarily.
The ruling can be appealed.
