Man who rammed truck into Presidential Office entrance sentenced

[WhoMadeWho]

Man who rammed truck into Presidential Office entrance sentenced

2015/09/09 17:37:18

Chang Teh-cheng (張德正, second left)

Taipei, Sept. 9 (CNA) A man who rammed a 35-ton truck into the front entrance of the Presidential Office in the wee hours of Jan. 25, 2014, was sentenced to six years in prison for attempted murder by the Taiwan High Court Wednesday.

At the sentencing hearing, Chang Teh-cheng (張德正) told the press that he did not feel like appealing to the Supreme Court, but his lawyer said they would study the case and decide whether to appeal after receiving the verdict.

The 41-year-old was prosecuted for running an empty truck over spikes and barricades in front of the Presidential Office. During a subsequent investigation, Chang told prosecutors that he did it out of fury because he was frustrated by the result of a lawsuit between him and his ex-wife.

Prosecutors accused Chang of several offenses, including attempted murder, obstruction of performance of public duties, destroying historic relics, damaging buildings and articles, and intrusion.

On May 10, the Taipei District Court gave Chang a jail term of five years and 10 months. In addition, he is facing a civil lawsuit filed by the Presidential Office, which is seeking damages of NT$3.4 million (US$104.000).

(By P.C. Tsai and Lillian Lin)