Terminal cancer man ruled unfit to plead in murder case

A suspect involved in an armed robbery and murder case has been arrested at the border after more than 30 years on the run. Due to terminal cancer and other health issues, the jury unanimously ruled following deliberation that he is unfit to plead.

In 1991, three armed robbers attempted to hold up Shun Fat Company, a watch shop on Pei Ho Street in Sham Shui Po. During the incident, a robber opened fire, striking and killing a male employee. The three robbers fled the scene without taking any property.

One of the suspects, Man Wan-yip, a 61-year-old man who claimed to live in Shenzhen, entered Hong Kong 32 years later in November 2023 and was arrested upon arrival. He was charged with one count of murder and one count of attempted robbery.

The trial opened on Thursday in the High Court. The defense submitted that the accused suffers from terminal lung adenocarcinoma that has　metastasized to his brain. Medical reports indicated that following surgery, he is unable to recall the details of the incident and cannot distinguish between pleading guilty or not guilty, rendering him mentally unfit to plead.

Judge William Tam instructed the jury, noting they must consider a series of issues, including whether the defendant can understand the charges, decide whether to plead guilty, and comprehend legal proceedings. If they find the defendant incapable of doing any one of these, they must rule him unfit to plead.

After deliberating for over half an hour, the jury unanimously ruled that the defendant is unfit to plead. The prosecution will still present evidence during the trial to prove that the accused committed the acts constituting the alleged offences.