Taipei Spiritual Center Murder Case: 'Accomplice' Claims Death Assessment Ignored Victim's Illness; Judge Questions Defense

In the ongoing trial for the 2024 murder case at the "Shuiyue Caotang" spiritual center in Taipei's Daan District, a defendant charged as an "accomplice" has contested the forensic assessment of the victim's death. The defense argues that the medical examiner failed to adequately consider the deceased accountant's past medical history, including a previous car accident that left her prone to falls.

During a hearing at the High Court on July 27, 2026, the defense presented the argument that some of the bruises found on the victim could have been caused by accidental falls, a consequence of her post-accident condition. They requested a new examination of the cause of death, urging the court to incorporate these medical records into the determination. The defense suggested that if the victim's pre-existing conditions and instability were known, the perpetrators might not have proceeded with the alleged actions.

However, the presiding judge challenged this line of reasoning. The judge directly questioned the defense, stating that the nature and extent of the victim's injuries were inconsistent with mere falls. The court highlighted that many wounds could not possibly be attributed to accidental tumbles, prompting the defense to reconsider their strategy. The judge also noted the difficulty in obtaining new medical evaluations, advising the defense to specify any perceived flaws in the original autopsy report rather than seeking a broad reassessment.

The case involves Buddhist author Wang Yun (real name Wang Jiangzhen) and other center members accused of causing the death of the accountant, surnamed Cai. She allegedly suffered severe physical abuse, including being forced to shave her head, perform strenuous exercises, and endure beatings and dragging, leading to rhabdomyolysis, a condition where damaged muscle tissue releases its proteins and cell debris into the blood. The victim's sister expressed deep pain over the prolonged abuse her sister endured, describing the perpetrators as "abnormal."