TAIWAN: HIGH COURT SENTENCES MAN TO DEATH OVER ARSON THAT KILLED 6
May 3, 2018: The Taiwan High Court handed down the death sentence to a man found guilty of an arson two years ago that resulted in the death of six members of the same family in an apartment building in New Taipei City. According to the high court, Tang Ching-hua was involved in an altercation with Weng Hsiang-chih in 2014. He later filed assault charges against Weng, but lost. On March 23, 2016, Tang set fire to an apartment building belonging to Weng's family in the city's Sanchong District, in an act of revenge. The fire resulted in six fatalities, including Weng's parents and younger sister. Tang was arrested, found guilty of homicide and sentenced to death by the New Taipei District Court, which he appealed in 2017. On May 3, the high court upheld the district court's ruling saying Tang used gasoline and flammable materials to start the blaze in a densely populated residential area, with complete disregard for human life and property. Despite having no relationship with Weng's family, he carried out a ruthless and coldblooded crime, the high court said. The ruling can be appealed to the Supreme Court. (Sources: CAN, 03/05/2018)
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