Prostitute acquitted over attack granted supervised release

A prostitute acquitted of attempted murder on the grounds of insanity was released from custody yesterday under the supervision of the Social Welfare Department.

Zheng Wei-dong, 30, was charged with attempted murder over a vicious attack on a fellow sex worker late last year. A Court of First Instance jury found her not guilty on November 28 by reason of insanity after three psychiatrists testified they believed that at the time of the attack she was sleepwalking or suffering an epileptic seizure.

The verdict also applied to an alternative charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, which prosecutors had included in case the more serious charge was not found proved.

The court heard that on the afternoon of the attack, Ms Zheng had gone to the room of a fellow prostitute, offered her fruit and then launched a savage attack when the offer was refused.

While trying to cut the victim's throat, she had told the woman that she was a devil and was going to kill her. Ms Zheng also tried to strangle, then smother, the woman. She claimed she could remember nothing except waking up covered in blood with her friend running screaming from the room.

Ms Zheng's case was believed to be the first time a jury was asked to consider finding someone not guilty on the grounds they were sleepwalking. The verdict, which was not a complete acquittal, caused confusion after doubt was cast on whether Mr Justice Michael McMahon had the power to remand Ms Zheng to a psychiatric facility while he considered how best to deal with her.

The law gives a judge several options when dealing with the recipient of an insanity verdict.