A 70-year-old man in New Taipei, Taiwan, was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison after he pushed his sick wife from a high-rise apartment, ending her life.
According to EBC News, the man had been taking care of his wife alone for years, as she suffered from hydrocephalus, a condition that caused severe physical and mental decline.
Wife was fully dependent
According to the court, the man, surnamed Lin, used to work in construction before retiring.
After that, he became the sole caregiver for his wife.
Her condition had worsened over the years.
She was completely reliant on him—unable to move, speak, or manage daily tasks, and was mostly bedridden.
Tragedy happened in December 2024
On Dec 9, 2024, Lin wheeled his wife, who was in a wheelchair, to the window of their 14th-floor apartment in Xinzhuang, Now News reports.
He helped her stand while she held onto the window ledge, then lifted her from behind and pushed her out.
She died at the scene from multiple serious injuries.
Confessed to police within minutes
UDN Taiwan reported that Lin turned himself in five minutes later at the nearest police station and confessed to everything.
He was arrested immediately.
The New Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office charged him with murder in March 2025.
Court gave lighter sentence
According to PTS Taiwan, the judge said Lin had suffered mental and emotional strain from long-term caregiving. The court viewed the case as a long-term care tragedy, not an act of cruelty.
The victim’s family also told the court they would not seek damages or compensation.
While murder usually carries a minimum sentence of 10 years, the court reduced Lin’s punishment under Article 59 of Taiwan’s Criminal Code, which allows for lighter sentencing in special cases.
Lin was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison.
The verdict can still be appealed.
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