TAIPEI (Taiwan News) —  The prison sentence for a man who assaulted two Taichung MRT passengers with a knife last year has been reduced to nine years and nine months. 

In May 2024, the 20-year-old surnamed Hung (洪) attacked passengers with a knife inside a Taichung MRT train, injuring a 27-year-old man surnamed Hsu and a 17-year-old high school student surnamed Lu (呂). Hung was initially sentenced to 10 years in prison, per CNA.

The incident occurred on May 21, 2024, when Hung was said to be dissatisfied with society and wanting to gain attention by committing murder, chose to act on the 10th anniversary of the 2014 Taipei Metro attack carried out by Cheng Chieh (鄭捷). Prosecutors indicted Hung for attempted murder and public intimidation.

After the first trial, Taichung District Court sentenced Hong to 10 years in prison in December for attempted murder and other charges. Considering Hung had reached a settlement with Lu, the Taiwan High Court Taichung Branch Court on Wednesday announced the second-instance verdict.

Although Hung initially claimed he had no intent to kill, the court took into account the nature of the weapon and the fact that he targeted the victims’ upper bodies and heads, causing severe injuries. The court concluded that Hung did have the intent to kill and rejected his claim.

In the second trial, Hung was sentenced to nine years and nine months for attempted murder and public intimidation. The ruling is open to appeal.