New Taipei Man Accused of Poisoning Ex-Girlfriend and Wife, Sentenced to Two Life Imprisonments in First Trial

Central News Agency

(Central News Agency reporter Cao Ya-yan, New Taipei, 4th) Zhang Shuyuan, a man accused of repeatedly attempting to poison his ex-girlfriend for money, and injecting anesthetic drugs into his wife's body, leading to her death, was sentenced today in the first trial by the New Taipei District Court to two life imprisonments for murder and deceiving others into using drugs.

Investigations by prosecutors and police revealed that Zhang Shuyuan was suspected of embezzling funds from his ex-girlfriend, surnamed Wang. On February 18, 2017, at their shared residence in Sanchong, New Taipei City, Zhang injected Class 1 drug heroin into Wang's body. Wang, unknowingly, lost consciousness after using the drug and was rushed to the hospital. During Wang's hospitalization, on February 21, Zhang again injected heroin into her body in the ward. Wang lost consciousness again and was fortunately saved after emergency treatment.

On March 30, 2021, Zhang Shuyuan was again suspected of attempting to defraud insurance money. While his wife, surnamed Chen, was hospitalized, he injected her with the anesthetic drug Dibucaine, causing her to convulse, lose focus, and eventually lose consciousness. Despite emergency treatment, Chen was pronounced dead on April 25 of the same year.

After a 9-day trial by public judges at the New Taipei District Court, Zhang Shuyuan exercised his right to remain silent throughout the proceedings. During sentencing arguments, the prosecution severely criticized Zhang Shuyuan for treating human lives as bargaining chips for money, and for his gambling addiction, pushing all blame onto others to this day, indicating a low possibility of rehabilitation. Therefore, the prosecution sought sentences of 18 and 20 years respectively for the attempted murder of Wang. As for the murder of Chen, since it could not be determined whether Zhang Shuyuan killed the victim by injection or suffocation, a life sentence was sought.

Zhang Shuyuan's defense lawyer argued for no criminal responsibility, instead accusing the prosecution of using Zhang's unfortunate circumstances as evidence without criminal proof, conducting a character assassination based on suspicion. Zhang Shuyuan, in his final statement, said, "If you want to condemn someone, you'll always find a reason."

The New Taipei District Court today announced its verdict: Zhang Shuyuan's actions against Wang constitute attempted murder and deceiving others into using Class 1 drugs under the Narcotics Hazard Prevention and Control Act, for which he was sentenced to life imprisonment and lifelong deprivation of civil rights. Additionally, Zhang Shuyuan was sentenced to life imprisonment and lifelong deprivation of civil rights for the murder of Chen. The entire case can be appealed. (Edited by Zhang Ming-kun) 1150504

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