Eight cops accused of framing and beating street sleepers to receive verdict in Sept

Eight cops accused of framing homeless people for drug possession, beating them and smashing up their belongings in Sham Shui Po four years ago will see the District Court hand down the verdict on September 13. 

The eight cops are sergeant Lam Wah-ka, constables Kwok Chin-sing, Hon Ting-kwong, Leung Fei-pang, Pong Chun-sze, Mok Chi-shing, Wan Pak-sze, and Chan Sau-ping. They were posted to Sham Shui Po district special duties team at the time. 

In court today (Tue), judge Kathie Cheung Kit-yee raised the question that if it cannot be confirmed that late Vietnamese street sleeper Le Van Muoi, 54, was beaten by three cops, will it affect the intention of Leung and Pong in covering the security camera during the police operations at Tung Chau Street Park on February 4 and 24, 2020. 

She also asked if Le’s admission to drug possession was true after the arrest, how should the accusations that Lam, Mok and Wan framed Le be dealt with. 

The prosecution pointed out that Leung was looking at the pillar below the security camera and figuring out a way to climb up, while Pong threw wet tissues at the camera twice. 

Since the police were investigating another case of street sleepers possessing offensive weapons, covering the camera would affect the trustworthiness of the officers’ testimonies and relevant legal procedures, the prosecution added. 

The counsel also disagreed that Le voluntarily admitted to drug possession, referring to security camera footage that shows three defendants putting drugs in containers owned by Le. 

On the other hand, the defense said Le didn’t ask for his injuries to be examined at once and the bone fractures he suffered could have been caused by other reasons. 

The defense continued that it was impossible for Leung to have the intention to climb up the pillar, saying the cops were at a public park and an officer climbing a pillar would have definitely drawn pedestrians’ attention. 

The defense added that there was an interpreter at the station when the police were taking a statement from Le. If police were threatening or luring Le to admit to the offense, the interpreter most definitely would not have cooperated with the police. 

It would not constitute as framing if Le’s admission was indeed true, the defense also said. 

After hearing closing submissions from both sides, judge Cheung adjourned the case to September 13 to pass down the verdict. The eight cops continued to be granted bail. 

All eight were charged with perverting the course of justice. Kwok was also charged with two counts of criminal damage, as well as a joint charge of wounding along with Leung and Chan.