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Monday, May 06, 2024
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Sexagenarian jailed 7.5 years for manslaughter after stabbing brother 36 times
A 66-year-old restaurant worker was on Thursday jailed seven-and-a-half years for manslaughter for killing his younger brother by stabbing him 36 times over an argument about electricity tariffs in September 2019.
The defendant Bu Shuiqiang was charged with murder for killing his 60-year-old brother at a flat on Fife Street in Mong Kok on September 25, 2019. Bu pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter before the trial, but the prosecution rejected his plea.
In the High Court on Monday, Bu was acquitted of murder but convicted of manslaughter by a seven-strong jury. The jurors, five men, and two women, believed Bu committed the crime as he was provoked, and all voted to find him guilty of manslaughter.
Passing down the sentence in court today (Thu), judge Susana D'Almada Remedios said although Bu lived together with his younger brother, they never talked to each other and had their own lives.
The judge referred to the testimonies of Bu and his mother, in which they both said the younger brother was a selfish, greedy, and arrogant man who had a foul temper, mistreated his mother, and only cared about money.
The judge added that the fight started as the younger brother was unhappy that Bu was not paying enough for his share of the electricity tariff and cut off some of the cables at home. The brother also teased Bu about being a cripple, which infuriated Bu of the grudges accumulated over the years.
The brother was also the first one to say he would grab a knife and slash Bu to death, and the two started physically assaulting each other, resulting in the tragedy.
D'Almada Remedios said she understood and empathized that Bu had to force himself to get along with his younger brother for an extended period.
Yet, she noted that a life was lost in this tragedy, and the brother's death still saddened their family. She also said that the sentencing must reflect the serious nature of the case.
The judge then started the jail term at nine years and deducted by 18 months to seven-and-a-half years.
Earlier in mitigation, the defense said Bu burst into tears and immediately closed his eyes when he saw pictures of his brother's body. It was already a punishment for Bu to recall what happened that day.
The lawyer also said Bu had nightmares and only wished to finish his term as soon as possible so that he could take care of his mother again.
In the High Court on Monday, Bu was acquitted of murder but convicted of manslaughter by a seven-strong jury. The jurors, five men, and two women, believed Bu committed the crime as he was provoked, and all voted to find him guilty of manslaughter.
Passing down the sentence in court today (Thu), judge Susana D'Almada Remedios said although Bu lived together with his younger brother, they never talked to each other and had their own lives.
The judge referred to the testimonies of Bu and his mother, in which they both said the younger brother was a selfish, greedy, and arrogant man who had a foul temper, mistreated his mother, and only cared about money.
The judge added that the fight started as the younger brother was unhappy that Bu was not paying enough for his share of the electricity tariff and cut off some of the cables at home. The brother also teased Bu about being a cripple, which infuriated Bu of the grudges accumulated over the years.
The brother was also the first one to say he would grab a knife and slash Bu to death, and the two started physically assaulting each other, resulting in the tragedy.
D'Almada Remedios said she understood and empathized that Bu had to force himself to get along with his younger brother for an extended period.
Yet, she noted that a life was lost in this tragedy, and the brother's death still saddened their family. She also said that the sentencing must reflect the serious nature of the case.
The judge then started the jail term at nine years and deducted by 18 months to seven-and-a-half years.
Earlier in mitigation, the defense said Bu burst into tears and immediately closed his eyes when he saw pictures of his brother's body. It was already a punishment for Bu to recall what happened that day.
The lawyer also said Bu had nightmares and only wished to finish his term as soon as possible so that he could take care of his mother again.
