Taiwanese ex-lawmaker found guilty of raping Pinay housekeeper

 

The Taiwan High Court sentenced former New Party legislator Elmer Fung after finding him guilty in the case’s seventh trial, Taiwan-based Taipei Times reported.

 

But Fung, who the Taipei District Court found guilty and who the High Court convicted thrice, can still appeal the decision before the Supreme Court, the CNA report said.

 

CNA quoted Fung as saying the ruling was ridiculous and that “political motivations” might be involved. He added he would appeal.

 

Earlier, Fung had been found not guilty by the High Court in the fifth and sixth trials after the Filipina appeared as a witness and withdrew her accusation.

 

Court records showed Fung hired the Filipina to take care of his mother-in-law, but the Filipina accused Fung of raping her on the afternoon of Jan. 23, 2004.

 

Presented as evidence in the case was the underwear she wore after the alleged rape, as well as a pair she said she wore after taking a shower six hours after the incident.

 

Fung agreed to pay the maid NT$800,000 (P1.126 million) in compensation, which the maid's supporters claimed was hush money.

 

During the trial, prosecutors and forensic scientists said DNA on the underwear matched Fung’s. Prosecutors added the victim’s injuries and her statements corroborated the accusation that Fung sexually assaulted her.

 

But Fung insisted the maid framed him by taking semen from a condom he had used when having sex with his wife and smearing it on her underwear.

 

Court decision

 

In Friday's ruling, the High Court said that while the maid withdrew her accusation after being compensated, her original statement and statements from doctors at Mackay Memorial Hospital showed it was unlikely that the accusation of rape was fabricated.

 

It added Fung’s wife had visited the maid and held her while she was crying.

 

The ruling questioned why Fung’s wife needed to console her if the maid falsely accused Fung. - VVP, GMA News