Taipei: Oral arguments concluded Wednesday in the trial of a woman accused of attempting to murder an Australian exchange student in 2023, with prosecutors advocating for a 12-year prison sentence, an increase from the "at least" eight years initially requested in their indictment.
According to Focus Taiwan, the woman, identified by her surname Yang, was indicted in December 2024 on charges of attempted murder. She allegedly attempted to poison the Australian student, Alex Shorey, with the rodenticide "superwarfarin" on multiple occasions in 2023. Prosecutors in Taipei have argued that she aimed to prevent Shorey from leaving Taiwan.
During the trial hearing in Taipei, Yang appeared emotional and consistently denied the allegations of poisoning Shorey, who was 24 at the time of the incidents, or having any intention to harm him. She further contested that prosecutors had mistranslated English-language evidence and misrepresented statements, claiming they were fabricating accusations against her. Yang stated that the rodenticide discovered in her home was intended for her own potential suicide attempt, driven by a desire to reunite with her late husband.
Prosecutors maintained that Shorey's medical records and the recurring nature of his symptoms supported their case that Yang had poisoned him on three separate occasions. They highlighted inconsistencies in her statements throughout the investigation. Additionally, they referenced a psychiatric evaluation that concluded Yang did not suffer from any major mental illness and accused her of feigning illness to avoid criminal accountability.
The prosecutors noted Yang's continued denial of the charges and lack of effort to seek a settlement or offer compensation, indicating no remorse for her actions. Consequently, they recommended a prison sentence exceeding 12 years, surpassing the "at least" eight years proposed in their December 2024 indictment.
In March, the Taipei District Court called upon Shorey to testify in the trial. Shorey recounted informing Yang in March 2023 of his intention to return to Australia the following month. He testified that two days later, Yang offered him a glass of grape juice with an unusual taste, after which he experienced severe symptoms, including nosebleeds, vomiting, and blood in his urine. Shorey also revealed that he had been involved with another woman, which seemed to cause Yang frustration, anger, and potential jealousy at the time.