Abby Choi murder trial to open in Hong Kong
SCMP · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong prosecutors are due to open the murder trial of three former relatives of socialite Abby Choi Tin-fung later this week, about three years after her killing shocked the city and drew international attention. The High Court will first hold a hearing on Monday to deal with preliminary issues, with jury selection expected later in the week before the prosecution’s opening address begins
Key Points
- Abby Choi, a 28-year-old influencer, was found dead after parts of her dismembered body were discovered in a flat in a three-storey village house in Lung Mei Tsuen, Tai Po, in February 2023
- Her former husband Alex Kwong Kong-chi, 31, his father Kwong Kau, 68, and elder brother Anthony Kwong Kong-kit, 35, will face a joint murder charge at trial
- The three defendants also face a charge of preventing the lawful burial of Choi’s body, after first appearing in Kowloon City Court on February 27, 2023
- The case went through multiple adjournments before being transferred to the Court of First Instance, where the trial has been scheduled for 45 days and may run until December
- The Department of Justice has instructed Charlotte Draycott SC to lead the prosecution, while Deputy Judge Brian Keith will preside over the High Court proceedings
Why It Matters
The start of the trial marks the most significant courtroom stage yet in one of Hong Kong’s most closely watched homicide cases, after years of pretrial proceedings. For local readers, the hearings are likely to draw sustained public attention as the court begins examining the allegations in detail over the coming months