The Trial of Dr. Khaw Kim Sun: A Story of Murder and Deception
Background
In 2015, a shocking crime shook the community in Hong Kong. Dr. Khaw Kim Sun, a Malaysian doctor who used to lecture at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), was accused of murdering his wife, Wong Siew Fing, and their 16-year-old daughter, Lily Khaw. The incident was particularly disturbing due to the unusual method used to commit the crime: a leaky yoga ball filled with carbon monoxide.
The Initial Trial and Conviction
Dr. Khaw was initially convicted of two counts of murder in 2018. However, the Court of Final Appeal overturned his conviction in 2023, ruling that the trial judge had misdirected the jury in 2018. This led to a retrial in the Hong Kong High Court.
The Retrial and Verdict
In the retrial, Dr. Khaw decided to represent himself, having fired his lawyers shortly after the retrial began. He took the witness stand, claiming that he had bought the carbon monoxide for a lab experiment. The seven-member jury listened to his testimony and deliberated before returning a guilty verdict.
The Crime
On May 22, 2015, Wong and Lily were found unconscious in their locked Mini Cooper, which had pulled over on Sai Sha Road. They died later in hospital due to carbon monoxide inhalation. An investigation revealed that a yoga ball filled with the lethal gas, placed in the car’s boot, was the source of the poisoning.
The Motive and Trial
Dr. Khaw claimed that he had planned to use the gas for pest control, but he did not place the yoga ball in the vehicle. He suggested that the death of his wife and daughter was accidental and not intentional. During the trial, the issue of his troubled marriage and an alleged extramarital affair with a student were also raised.
The Defendant’s Background
Dr. Khaw was an associate professor at CUHK’s department of anaesthesia and intensive care and also worked as a senior medical officer at Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin. He has three other children, two daughters and a son, with his eldest daughter studying medicine in Malaysia, and his third daughter and son studying in Hong Kong schools.
Conclusion
The trial of Dr. Khaw Kim Sun is a tragic and disturbing case that has left many questions unanswered. Despite his conviction, the circumstances surrounding the crime and the defendant’s seemingly bizarre behavior have raised more questions than answers. The case serves as a reminder of the complexities of human nature and the devastating consequences of deliberate actions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the method used to commit the crime?
A: A leaky yoga ball filled with carbon monoxide was used to poison the victims.
Q: Why was the initial conviction overturned?
A: The Court of Final Appeal ruled that the trial judge had misdirected the jury in 2018.
Q: What was Dr. Khaw’s defense?
A: He claimed that he had bought the carbon monoxide for a lab experiment and did not place the yoga ball in the vehicle, suggesting that the death of his wife and daughter was accidental and not intentional.