Two men sentenced to life imprisonment for splashing gasoline and burning neighbor to death after failed extortion
In Taiwan, two men, Lin and Zeng, were sentenced to life imprisonment by the Shilin District Court for attempting to extort money from a neighbor, splashing gasoline, and setting them on fire, resulting in their death. This heinous crime has sent shockwaves through society.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 8, 2026 at 19:39
- 🔍 Collected: May 8, 2026 at 20:01 (22 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 8, 2026 at 20:16 (14 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency Reporter Lin Chang-sheng, Taipei, 8th) Two men, surnamed Lin and Zeng, were sentenced to life imprisonment by the Shilin District Court today for splashing gasoline on a neighbor's home in 2024, threatening them to hand over NT$400. Later that afternoon, they used the same method to demand money again, but were refused. They then splashed gasoline on the neighbor and set it alight, causing the neighbor's death. The verdict can be appealed.
The judgment stated that Mr. Lin and his friend Mr. Zeng, residents of Tamsui District, New Taipei City, had been long-term unemployed and penniless, in need of money. On the morning of December 10, 2024, Mr. Lin, holding gasoline already divided into plastic bottles, went with Mr. Zeng to the neighbor's door. When the neighbor refused to open, Mr. Lin poured gasoline through the door crack and threatened that he knew gang leaders. Fearing for their safety, the neighbor opened the door, and Lin and Zeng demanded living expenses. The neighbor then handed over NT$400.
Having tasted success, the two, Lin and Zeng, returned that afternoon at 2 PM. Mr. Zeng held a plastic bottle filled with gasoline, and Mr. Lin carried a lighter. They went together to the neighbor's door, again demanding money. The neighbor refused, as they had no cash left to give.
The judgment stated that Lin and Zeng became enraged. Mr. Zeng immediately splashed gasoline onto the neighbor's chest and abdomen, drenching the neighbor's clothing and body. Mr. Lin then took out a lighter and ignited the gasoline. The fire quickly spread to the neighbor's clothing and body, causing third-degree burns covering 99% of the body surface area, combined with inhalation burns. The neighbor died after emergency medical treatment.
The Shilin District Court's citizen judge panel today sentenced Mr. Lin and Mr. Zeng to life imprisonment and deprived them of their civil rights for life, based on charges including joint robbery and murder. The case can be appealed. (Edited by Chang Ming-kun) 1150508
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(Central News Agency Reporter Lin Chang-sheng, Taipei, 8th) Two men, surnamed Lin and Zeng, were sentenced to life imprisonment by the Shilin District Court today for splashing gasoline on a neighbor's home in 2024, threatening them to hand over NT$400. Later that afternoon, they used the same method to demand money again, but were refused. They then splashed gasoline on the neighbor and set it alight, causing the neighbor's death. The verdict can be appealed.
The judgment stated that Mr. Lin and his friend Mr. Zeng, residents of Tamsui District, New Taipei City, had been long-term unemployed and penniless, in need of money. On the morning of December 10, 2024, Mr. Lin, holding gasoline already divided into plastic bottles, went with Mr. Zeng to the neighbor's door. When the neighbor refused to open, Mr. Lin poured gasoline through the door crack and threatened that he knew gang leaders. Fearing for their safety, the neighbor opened the door, and Lin and Zeng demanded living expenses. The neighbor then handed over NT$400.
Having tasted success, the two, Lin and Zeng, returned that afternoon at 2 PM. Mr. Zeng held a plastic bottle filled with gasoline, and Mr. Lin carried a lighter. They went together to the neighbor's door, again demanding money. The neighbor refused, as they had no cash left to give.
The judgment stated that Lin and Zeng became enraged. Mr. Zeng immediately splashed gasoline onto the neighbor's chest and abdomen, drenching the neighbor's clothing and body. Mr. Lin then took out a lighter and ignited the gasoline. The fire quickly spread to the neighbor's clothing and body, causing third-degree burns covering 99% of the body surface area, combined with inhalation burns. The neighbor died after emergency medical treatment.
The Shilin District Court's citizen judge panel today sentenced Mr. Lin and Mr. Zeng to life imprisonment and deprived them of their civil rights for life, based on charges including joint robbery and murder. The case can be appealed. (Edited by Chang Ming-kun) 1150508
Choose to stand with the facts, every sponsorship you make is the power to protect press freedom.
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The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.