2nd trial increases sentences in New Taipei school fatal stabbing case

Taipei, Dec. 23 (CNA) The Taiwan High Court on Tuesday increased the prison sentences handed down to two juveniles convicted in a fatal New Taipei junior high school stabbing in 2023, revising a lower court ruling after new medical evaluations were considered.

Under the new judgment, the male juvenile was sentenced to 12 years in prison and the female juvenile to 11 years, up from nine and eight years respectively in the first trial. The sentences can still be appealed.

Updated medical and assessment reports changed key sentencing factors, making a reassessment necessary, according to the High Court.

The first-instance ruling failed to fully consider evaluations by medical institutions, including the male defendant's psychological profile, risk of reoffending, and recommended treatment measures, it said.

Prosecutors argued that these omissions justified heavier penalties, a view the High Court accepted, while rejecting the defendants' claims that the original sentences were excessive.

In determining the revised sentences, the judges said they considered the seriousness of the crime, statements by the defendants and their lawyers, arguments from prosecutors, and opinions expressed by the victim's family.

The case dates back to Dec. 25, 2023, when a female student went to another classroom during lunch break and argued with a male student who asked her to leave. She later returned with another male classmate, who stabbed the student multiple times with a switchblade. The victim died the following day.

The victim's parents protested the ruling in court on Tuesday, crying and voicing dissatisfaction, saying the sentences fell far short of their expectation of a 30-year term.

In a statement, the victim's father said judges appeared focused solely on giving the perpetrators a chance to reform, recalling that one judge had even asked whether there was "a chance for the killers to show filial piety toward us" as a form of atonement.

"I can only say that if, after they are released from prison, they do not come back to take revenge on us, that would already be a blessing," the father said.

Prosecutors said a decision on whether to appeal will be made after reviewing the written judgment.

Issuing a statement, the National Federation of Education Unions again urged authorities to consider campus security measures such as metal detectors at school gates.

The Ministry of Education has discussed the issue previously but concluded that installing such equipment is "not suitable at this stage," citing the widespread use of metal school supplies and the difficulty of inspecting large numbers of students entering campuses at the same time.