TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The New Taipei District Court on Wednesday sentenced a 30-year-old woman to death for fatally striking and dragging a police officer with her car while attempting to evade a roadside check in September 2024, per CNA.
The court found Chen Chia-ying (陳嘉瑩) guilty of murder after she hit police officer Liu Tsung-hsin (劉宗鑫) from Tucheng Precinct’s Chingshui Police Station during an inspection of illegally parked vehicles on Sept. 30, 2024. Liu was severely injured and later pronounced dead at a hospital after Chen fled the scene.
Prosecutors indicted Chen on charges of murder, obstructing official duties with a motor vehicle, and driving under the influence of narcotics.
During the four-day trial, Liu’s family accused Chen of refusing to stop because she had drugs, then deliberately driving into Liu and showing no remorse. They repeatedly called for the death penalty.
Chen and her defense team argued that the death was accidental and that she had no intent to kill. The prosecution had sought a life sentence. Chen asked the court for a prison term, saying she wished to make amends and had attempted to apologize to the family, though her overtures were rejected.
Upon hearing the verdict, Liu’s family members wept and bowed to the judge. They later told reporters they believed Taiwan’s judicial system had delivered justice.
“Justice will not be delayed,” Liu’s father said, adding that those who take a life must be held accountable. He also thanked the public for its continued attention to the case.
New Taipei City Police Department Deputy Chief Lin Wu-hong (林武宏) and Tucheng Precinct Chief Shen Ming-yi (沈明義) were present in court to support the family. Shen said the ruling demonstrated society’s backing of police officers carrying out their duties and would strengthen support for law enforcement personnel.
Lin Chih-hao (林志豪), chair of the National Association of Equality of Life, who accompanied the family throughout the proceedings, thanked the panel of judges and prosecutors for their work, saying the verdict brought long-awaited justice.
Under Taiwan’s Criminal Code, death sentences are automatically referred to a higher court for review, regardless of whether an appeal is filed.
