The Yunlin District Court yesterday acquitted a man who was prosecuted for stealing a packet of tissues, saying the justice system should show kindness when the offense is minor and the accused have a medical condition.
The case involved a 21-year-old university student surnamed Chen (陳) who in April took a packet of paper tissues, priced at NT$10, from a convenience store in the county’s Huwei Township (虎尾) without paying as he rushed to a restroom.
The store clerk called the police to report the theft, and the store’s surveillance camera footage was used as evidence against Chen.
Photo: Lee Wen-te, Taipei Times
Chen said he had irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
The judge said he had verified that Chen has had IBS since childhood and has regular and sometimes unexpected bowel movements, needing to use the toilet regularly.
Judge Wang Tzu-yung (王子榮) granted a “discharge” to exempt Chen from punishment, under which a defendant is found guilty or pleads guilty, but the judge decides that a conviction and criminal record are not necessary.
Wang in the ruling concluded his decision by quoting lines from the popular Taiwan TV drama Port of Lies (八尺門辯護人) released last year.
“A person must be very lucky in life, to be seated comfortably like some of us here for the court trial. It leads one to believe the world is full of kindness, but those of us who hold absolute power, we can be cruel when dealing with law offenders,” the ruling said.
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