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Legislator Liu
Chien-kuo says Chen Shui-bian¡¦s case shows jury system is needed
January 21, 2013 By: Michael Richardson
http://www.examiner.com/article/legislator-liu-chien-kuo-says-chen-shui-bian-s-case-shows-a-jury-system-is-neede
Legislator Liu Chien-kuo says
Taiwan needs a jury system
Photo credit: Mary Loan
Taiwan Political Prisoner Report, Jan. 21,
2013. Legislator Liu Chien-kuo says that most people in Taiwan agree that Chen
Shui-bian did not get a fair trial. Liu welcomed the opportunity to speak on the
topic of Chen¡¦s prosecution.
Report, Jan. 21, 2013. Legislator Liu Chien-kuo says that most people in Taiwan
agree that Chen Shui-bian did not get a fair trial. Liu welcomed the opportunity
to speak on the topic of Chen¡¦s prosecution.
¡§A very, very unfair trial,¡¨ said Liu. ¡§In that proceeding, they replaced the
judge for a hit man for the government. Most everyone in Taiwan says that is not
legal, the judge is illegal.¡¨
View slideshow: Legislator Liu Chien-kuo
¡§A jury system is needed in Taiwan. In this case, Chen Shui-bian¡¦s case, the
government controls the courts imposing an illegal judge. So I think a jury is a
good idea. An active jury system is needed for fair trials.¡¨
Liu explained: ¡§The legislature could make a law requiring juries but the
administration doesn¡¦t like juries. If Taiwan would use a jury system it would
not be easy for the government to control the courts. There are at least two
groups pursuing a jury system, trying to help make a law to require juries. I
agree with the effort.
¡§As long as the Kuomintang is the ruling party, the majority party, it will not
be easy to succeed. We have to ask KMT legislators to help obtain justice, not
only for President Chen, but for justice itself,¡¨ said Legislator Liu.
¡§From the beginning it was a totally unfair trial because of the replaced judge.
I agree with many others that it was political, not just. I really don¡¦t like
this current system. I hope that President Chen can get a fair trial.¡¨
Liu complained: ¡§President Chen has his cell lights on all the time with
twenty-four hour monitoring. It may be the same situation in many prisons but
President Chen cannot exercise freely. He is not free to move. They could send a
guard to watch him but instead they keep Chen Shui-bian isolated in his cell.
President Chen is not allowed to exercise with other prisoners where he could be
easily watched. It is unfair treatment for President Chen.¡¨
¡§President Ma Ying-jeou and the Minister of Justice, they know about this, they
are aware, but they are directing the action against President Chen. It is
shameful. So that is why people, like Professor Aquia Tsay, are getting involved
with rescuing Abian and protesting to change that situation.
¡§It is impossible that Ma Ying-jeou is not involved. Ma controls all the systems
and can actually affect the judgment. The Taiwanese people do not believe Ma
Ying-jeou when he says he is not involved. Yes, Ma is personally involved in the
case,¡¨ insisted Liu.
¡§Taiwan is a democratic country but in this case there was a plan to put
President Chen in jail. The replacement of the judge is especially telling. The
first judge said Chen was innocent so they replaced the judge. It is a
ridiculous change from normal procedure,¡¨ emphasized Liu with disgust.
¡§We hope the American people support Taiwan society. The Taiwan Justice Rescue
Force volunteers, this group has received violent treatment from the policemen.
Especially, Professor Tsay, who got hurt recently. I want to thank you for
coming from the United States to help inform people about the situation in
Taiwan,¡¨ thanked Legislator Liu.
¡§Perhaps someday, we will have enough people to force President Ma to change his
attitude against fair treatment of President Chen. Chen has health problems. We
just want him to get medical parole. Not absolute freedom, just medical parole,¡¨
pleaded Liu.
Liu complained again about the trial of Chen: ¡§President Chen was found guilty
by false testimony from Mr. Jeffery Koo. The guilty verdict is not normal when a
witness admits false testimony.¡¨
Commenting on Jeffery Koo¡¦s own pending prison sentence, Liu said: ¡§The
treatment of Chen must be fair, then you can accept; but now, it is unfair
treatment, we cannot accept this situation. Koo is allowed to travel to the
United States but President Chen is kept confined in a small cell. It is very
sad when you compare the two situations. It is unfair.¡¨
¡§What we want is a simple request, that President Chen be treated fairly.¡¨
¡§Many people, convicted of more serious crimes than President Chen, get parole.
Why cannot Chen Shui-bian not get parole, even medical parole?¡¨ asked Legislator
Liu.
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