Weng Jen-hsien (right)

TAIWAN: SUPREME COURT CONFIRMS DEATH SENTENCE FOR ARSONIST WHO KILLED 6

July 12, 2019:

The Supreme Court on 10 July 2019 confirmed the death penalty against a man who committed arson on Lunar New Year’s Eve, killing six people including both his parents, and injuring four.
Weng Jen-hsien harbored a long-time grudge against his parents and brother, so he waited until a total of 16 relatives and friends had gathered to celebrate Lunar New Year’s Eve on 7 February 2016, at the family home in Longtan, Taoyuan City, before setting light to gasoline inside the house, the Central News Agency reported.
During the fire, six people perished, including both his parents and a nurse, and four more were left with injuries.
Both the district and the high court sentenced Weng to death, but the first time the case came in front of the Supreme Court, it sent it back to the high court, which once again ruled that the arsonist needed to be kept away from society for ever, confirming the death sentence.
This time, the Supreme Court agreed, leaving no room for appeals. The verdict was the first death sentence in exactly two years, according to CNA.