The Bizarre Case of Khaw Kim Sun: A Murder Trial Like No Other
The Accusation
A former university professor from Malaysia, Khaw Kim Sun, 60, is on trial for the alleged murder of his wife and daughter in Hong Kong. The prosecution claims that Khaw filled two yoga balls with deadly carbon monoxide gas, which he brought from his laboratory, and placed them in his family’s Mini Cooper car to kill his wife, Wong Siew Fing, 47, and second daughter, Lily Khaw Li Ling, 16.
The Trial
Khaw, who is representing himself in the trial, denies the allegations and claims that he was trying to get rid of shrews in his home using the carbon monoxide. He told the Hong Kong High Court that he brought the surplus carbon monoxide from his laboratory to his home after various pest control attempts failed.
The Investigation
The police discovered a deflated exercise ball that was initially pumped with carbon monoxide in the car. The carbon monoxide was found in the mother and daughter’s autopsies. The prosecution speculated that Khaw, being an anaesthesiologist, would have known the properties of the gas and was said to have committed the perfect crime.
The Affair
The court also heard that Khaw was involved in an extramarital affair with a woman who tutored the Chinese language to his children. His oldest daughter testified that she had knowledge of the affair.
The Defense
Khaw’s lawyers argued that the animal experiment carried out was a "ruse" to obtain the carbon monoxide that killed his wife and second daughter. They claimed that Khaw’s daughter, Lily, could have placed the ball in the car to ward off insects she was afraid of.
The Appeal
The case went to appeal, and in November 2023, the Court of Final Appeal approved Khaw’s application of appeal over "grave injustice", which involved the trial judge’s misdirection. The appeal court judges ruled that the trial judge could have "steered the jury towards an impermissible line of reasoning", rejecting the possibility of the defendant’s daughter using the gas to kill insects.
The Verdict
The retrial is expected to last 30 days. The outcome of the case remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: this is a murder trial like no other.
Conclusion
The case of Khaw Kim Sun is a complex and bizarre one, with many twists and turns. The prosecution’s claims of a premeditated murder are countered by Khaw’s defense, which suggests that the carbon monoxide was used for pest control purposes. The outcome of the trial will depend on the evidence presented and the jury’s verdict.
FAQs
Q: What is the alleged motive behind the murder?
A: The prosecution claims that Khaw wanted to kill his wife and daughter to be with his mistress.
Q: What is the defense’s claim?
A: Khaw’s lawyers argue that the carbon monoxide was used for pest control purposes and that his daughter could have placed the ball in the car to ward off insects.
Q: What is the significance of the appeal court’s ruling?
A: The appeal court’s ruling means that the trial judge’s misdirection could have affected the outcome of the trial, and the case will now go to retrial.