Man with knife cuts another's neck, prosecuted for assault, not attempted murder, in Chiayi

On February 21, 2026, in Chiayi City, a 30-year-old man surnamed Jian, who did not know the victim, Mr. Gong, pushed him down in a green space at the intersection of Youzhong Road and Ziyou Road. Jian then used a knife to cut the back of Gong's neck. When Gong pleaded for mercy, Jian stopped the cutting. As Gong tried to get up, Jian kicked him down again. Bystanders reported the incident to the police. Police apprehended Jian after he fled and discarded the weapon. Initially investigated for attempted murder, the prosecution concluded that Jian lacked murderous intent because he stopped the attack upon the victim's plea and the injuries were not life-threatening. The Chiayi District Prosecutors Office indicted Jian for assault and recommended a severe sentence due to the random nature of the crime causing public panic. The Chiayi District Court ordered Jian's three-month detention, effective April 13, 2026, citing flight risk and the severe threat to public order posed by the unprovoked attack.