Open verdict in death of inmate badly beaten by guards
Panel rules Taiwanese man assaulted in prison died suspiciously but delivers open verdict
A jury in the Coroner's Court has ruled the death of a Taiwanese prisoner three years ago remained suspicious but was unable to say what exactly caused it.
The five-member jury reached a unanimous decision yesterday on the death of Chen Chu-nan, who died after being admitted to the Correctional Services Department's Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre in 2009.
The verdict means the jury confirms the death is suspicious but is unable to reach any of the other verdicts - such as death from natural causes or unlawful killing - that are open to it.
Chen, then 33, was arrested in early August, 2009 over a telephone scam. He died on August 16, 2009, a day after three correctional services officers severely beat him.
Leung Shing-chi, 46, So Ka-wai, 34, and Tang Yuk-po, 48, were jailed for 16 months by the District Court in September for inflicting serious bodily harm on Chen, who had 117 bruises and wounds on his body.
The inquest heard statements, read by government counsel, that alleged accomplice Chen Jui-ying made to police claiming the deceased was an alcoholic whose hands shook when he was not drinking.