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Brian Wong

A Hong Kong court has terminated a trial arising from a deadly shooting during a botched robbery three decades ago after the defendant died in custody earlier this week.
The High Court on Wednesday discharged a seven-member jury presiding over the trial of Wen Wenye, who allegedly took part in the murder and attempted robbery at Shun Fat Company, a second-hand goods shop in Sham Shui Po, on June 9, 1991.
A government statement on Monday said Wen, 62, died in hospital that afternoon after he was found unconscious in the court’s holding cell during the trial’s adjournment. The presiding judge was giving instructions to jurors at the time, ahead of their closed-door deliberation.
The jury had earlier found that Wen, a Shenzhen resident, could not be held criminally liable for the offences due to his cognitive impairment caused by lung cancer. The panel was nonetheless asked to decide if the defendant had committed the acts as charged in the indictment.
Wen had been remanded in custody since his arrest at the Shenzhen Bay control point on November 11, 2023.
He was allegedly one of three robbers behind the attempted hold-up, during which shop employee Cheng Kai-lam was fatally shot.

During his incarceration, Wen was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer, with mutated cells spreading to his brain.
He underwent surgery to remove damaged brain tissue on July 24, 2024, but had been wheelchair-bound since.
In court, the defendant appeared drowsy and inattentive. He almost slid off his wheelchair on multiple occasions, prompting prison officers to help him up and reattach his hearing aid.
The government statement said an inquest would be held to investigate Wen’s death.


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A photo of the second-hand goods shop taken by police and released during an earlier press conference. Photo: Sam Tsang

The High Court on Wednesday discharged a seven-member jury presiding over the trial after the suspect Wen Wenye’s death. Photo: Sun Yeung

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News

Hong Kong

Law and Crime

Wen Wenye, 62, who allegedly took part in murder and attempted robbery at second-hand goods shop, succumbs to lung cancer


Wen Wenye, 62, who allegedly took part in murder and attempted robbery at second-hand goods shop, succumbs to lung cancer.


Crime in Hong Kong

China

Shenzhen

Hong Kong court terminates trial after suspect in deadly 1991 hold-up dies of cancer

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Wen Wenye, 62, who allegedly took part in murder and attempted robbery at second-hand goods shop, succumbs to lung cancer

Wen Wenye, 62, who allegedly took part in murder and attempted robbery at second-hand goods shop, succumbs to lung cancer