Hong Kong woman admits killing 1-year-old daughter in murder-suicide attempt
High Court reduces original charge of murder to manslaughter in light of evidence that defendant was in an impaired psychiatric state
A 27-year-old Hong Kong woman has admitted killing her one-year-old daughter in a murder-suicide attempt three years ago, partly out of financial stress.
The High Court on Friday recorded a guilty plea to manslaughter from Liu Ka-ki after prosecutors agreed to reduce her original charge of murder in light of psychiatric evidence that suggested the defendant’s mental disorder “likely substantially impaired her ability to form rational judgment and exercise self-control”.
Liu, who was not previously known to mental health services, had been suffering from adjustment disorder and depression, partly due to debts and harassment by loan sharks.
A prosecution case summary said Liu’s life with her husband and parents-in-law was “by and large harmonious”.
But the woman wrote in a digital note stored in her mobile phone that she was depressed and did not know how to carry on.
The defendant and her daughter, Lo Yuet-ning, moved into a subdivided flat rented in her husband’s name at North Point’s Majestic Apartments in March 2022. The husband did not move into the flat but would visit his wife and child from time to time.