Hong Kong salesman acquitted of manslaughter charge over 63-year-old man’s fatal fall in queue-jumping scuffle
- High Court jury finds Leung Ching-yin not guilty of killing Chow Chun-wo
- Defence counsel tells court no one could foresee elderly man’s fatal collapse from a single push
A salesman who pushed an elderly man during a fight over queue-jumping at a Hong Kong ferry pier and later died has been found not guilty of manslaughter.
A High Court jury on Monday acquitted Leung Ching-yin, 28, over the death of Chow Chun-wo, 63, by a vote of six to one after four hours of deliberations.
Madam Justice Esther Toh Lye-ping said it was a short but difficult case as she thanked the jury and counsel after releasing Leung from the dock.
A large number of people were queuing at Central Ferry Pier 7 to cross over to Tsim Sha Tsui following a demonstration on Hong Kong Island when Leung pushed Chow once with both hands on the shoulder just before 10pm on June 16, 2019. Chow died of a fractured skull and brain injuries two days later.
According to organisers, the demonstration drew a record turnout of nearly 2 million protesters, with their demands including the bill’s full withdrawal and the chief executive’s resignation.