Stiffer sentence wanted for alleged poisoner of Australian student

Taipei, May 28 (CNA) Oral arguments ended Wednesday in the trial of a women accused of attempting to murder an Australian exchange student in 2023, with prosecutors recommending that she be jailed for 12 years, up from "at least" eight asked for in their indictment.

A ruling in the case is scheduled for July 22.

● Australian man testifies in rat poison attempted murder case

The women, surnamed Yang (楊), was indicted in December 2024 on attempted murder charges for allegedly trying to poison the Australian student named Alex Shorey with the rodenticide "superwarfarin" on multiple occasions in 2023.

Taipei Prosecutors said she was trying to stop him from leaving Taiwan.

Appearing emotional at Wednesday's trial hearing in Taipei, Yang repeatedly denied poisoning Shorey, who was 24 when the indicents occurred, or intending to harm him.

She also claimed prosecutors mistranslated English-language evidence and took statements out of context, saying they were fabricating accusations against her.

Yang said the rodenticide found in her home was prepared for her possible suicide attempt so she could reunite with her late husband.

Prosecutors argued that Shorey's medical records and the recurring nature of his symptoms indicated that Yang had poisoned him three times, and they also said her statements had been inconsistent throughout the investigation.

They also cited a psychiatric evaluation showing that Yang did not suffer from any major mental illness, and accused her of feigning illness in an attempt to evade criminal responsibility.

According to prosecutors, Yang has continued to deny the charges and made no effort to seek a settlement or offer compensation, demonstrating no remorse for her actions.

They therefore recommended a prison sentence of more than 12 years, higher than a sentence of "at least" eight years recommended in their December 2024 indictment.

The Taipei District Court summoned Shorey to testify in the trial in March.

Shorey testified that he had informed Yang in March 2023 of his plan to return to Australia the following month.

Two days later, Yang gave him a glass of grape juice with a "weird taste," after which he developed severe symptoms including nosebleeds, vomiting and blood in his urine, Shorey said.

Shorey also testified that he had dated another woman and been sexually involved with her, and that Yang appeared frustrated, angry and "might have been jealous" at the time.

(By Hsieh Chun-lin and Lee Chieh-yu) enditem/ls