The Tainan District Court yesterday sentenced Lin Hsin-wu (林信吾) to death for murdering two police officers last year.
The ruling — which carried two death sentences — can be appealed.
Judges also deprived Lin of his civil rights for life.
Photo: Wang Chieh, Taipei Times
Family members of the two slain police officers, Tu Ming-cheng (?明誠), 36, and Tsao Jui-chieh (曹瑞傑), 27, welcomed the ruling and urged reporters to follow any further trials.
“Lin must pay the price for committing such a vicious crime, stabbing to death two courageous police officers who were doing their duty,” an uncle of Tsao told reporters outside the court. “Today’s ruling is justice for the two men and their families.”
Lin, 47, had a previous conviction for robbing two convenience stores using an airsoft gun. He was sentenced to eight years and four months in prison. In late 2021, he was transferred to Mingde Minimum Security Prison in Tainan, but absconded from the facility in August last year, failing to return after a visit to family in Kaohsiung.
On Aug. 22 last year, Tu confronted Lin, who had a stolen motorcycle, in Tainan’s Annan District (安南) and called Tsao for backup after Lin became agitated.
When Tsao arrived, Lin grappled with the officers before taking out a knife.
Lin has weapons and close-combat training from time in the armed forces, including in a military police unit.
He stabbed Tu 17 times and Tsao 38 times. He also took a handgun from Tu’s holster and fired six shots at Tsao’s police cruiser.
Both officers died at a local hospital.
Lin fled. He changed his clothes and washed before taking taxies and public transportation northward.
He was arrested in Hsinchu City the next day.
The court said that Lin had the means and the intent to kill the officers, justifying the twin death sentences.
His actions were extremely vicious and devoid of humanity, it said.
Killing police officers is a serious crime, as they represent state authority, and the case had a major impact on society and the families of the two officers, the court said.
A psychological evaluation indicated there was little chance that Lin would be rehabilitated, it said, adding that he would be likely to commit more such crimes.
The sentences would protect public safety, it said.
“Taiwan has rule of law and has an independent judicial system,” Tu’s sister said outside the court. “We welcome this correct ruling and must make sure any further hearings adhere to it and the punishment is carried out.
“Taiwanese society would improve when justice is served,” she said.
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