Taiwan man, 32, allegedly kicks bar owner's wife, 60, to death 3 days after being hired out of goodwill

A 32-year-old man in Taiwan has confessed to kicking a 60-year-old woman to death just days after her husband took him in out of compassion.

Taken in off the streets

According to ET Today, the defendant, identified only by his surname Lin, had multiple prior criminal records when he arrived in Taichung. He approached the owner of a small karaoke bar, surnamed Guo, claiming to be a homeless man who only needed a small wage to get by.

Guo kindly took him in, gave him a job, and even provided him with a place to stay. Three days later, while using the shower at Guo's home, Lin allegedly kicked Guo's wife, surnamed Li, to death.

10 broken ribs, ruptured spleen

According to ET Today, the forensic autopsy report showed Li suffered severe injuries to her head, chest, and abdomen. She sustained 10 broken ribs, head swelling, a subdural haemorrhage, and a ruptured spleen.

The prosecution noted that Lin weighs 100kg while Li was frail.

Sin Chew Daily News reported that the victim's sister's legal representative condemned Lin in court, calling his conduct extremely vicious and urging the judge to impose at least 12 years.

Inconsistent defence

Lin admitted to the act but said he qualified for a reduced sentence on grounds of allegedly diminished cognitive capacity and voluntary surrender.

The public prosecutor told the court that his account of his motive had been inconsistent throughout.

An assessment by the hospital confirmed Lin's intelligence was normal, his behavioural capacity was not significantly impaired at the time of the crime, and he poses a high risk of committing further crimes.

The court also rejected his voluntary surrender claim, as police had only arrested him after another person identified him and not because he had turned himself in.

The prosecution further noted that Lin is a university dropout with multiple prior work records, reinforcing that his intelligence was unimpaired.

ET Today added that the court also played police bodycam footage showing Lin appearing completely calm after the attack, while Li lay covered in blood with a swollen head.

The prosecution called Lin an "unpredictable time bomb" and described the case as one of the few remaining acts of kindness in the world being erased, noting that Guo had shown genuine compassion to a stranger, only for his wife to pay the price.

According to Sin Chew Daily News, prosecutors are seeking a sentence of between 11 years and 6 months to 13 years in prison.

The lay judge panel is set to deliver its verdict on Jun. 10.