Death sentence upheld for killer of wife, mother-in-law, stepson

Taipei, July 9 (CNA) The Taiwan High Court on Thursday upheld the death sentence of a man surnamed Chang (張) for killing his wife, mother-in-law and 3-year-old stepson while they slept in New Taipei.

Wen Chia-chien (文家倩), spokesperson for the High Court's Criminal Division, said the court rejected Chang's appeal after finding that the New Taipei District Court's sentencing complied with the principle of proportionality and fit the severity of the crimes.

Chang admitted to the killings during the second trial and appealed only the sentence.

The ruling can still be appealed.

Wen said the judges found that Chang had carefully planned the murders, noting that the victims included his 69-year-old mother-in-law and 3-year-old stepson.

Given the premeditated nature of the killings and the particularly cruel manner in which they were carried out, the court determined that the case constituted "the most serious of crimes," she said.

According to the New Taipei District Court's ruling, the murders occurred sometime between April 30 and May 2, 2024, in New Taipei's Sanchong District.

Chang, who was 24 at the time, suffocated his wife, mother-in-law and stepson while they slept.

He then stole valuables belonging to his mother-in-law and fled to Taichung in an attempt to evade arrest before being apprehended on May 12.

The New Taipei District Court sentenced Chang to death in September 2025.