Public Prosecutor v Wang Wenfeng: Murder, Armed Robbery, Penal Code

In Public Prosecutor v Wang Wenfeng, the High Court of Singapore found Wang Wenfeng guilty of murdering Yuen Swee Hong on 11 April 2009. Wang Wenfeng was charged with murder under the Penal Code after he stabbed Yuen Swee Hong during a robbery. The court found that Wang Wenfeng intended to cause bodily injury sufficient to cause death and imposed the mandatory sentence of capital punishment.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Accused found guilty of murder; mandatory sentence of capital punishment imposed.

1.3 Case Type

Criminal

1.4 Judgment Type

Judgment

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Wang Wenfeng was found guilty of murdering Yuen Swee Hong during an armed robbery. The court imposed the mandatory capital punishment.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Public ProsecutorProsecutionGovernment AgencyJudgment for ProsecutionWon
Eugene Lee of Attorney-General’s Chambers
Lin Yinbing of Attorney-General’s Chambers
Ilona Tan of Attorney-General’s Chambers
Wang WenfengDefendantIndividualGuiltyLost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Lee Seiu KinJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Eugene LeeAttorney-General’s Chambers
Lin YinbingAttorney-General’s Chambers
Ilona TanAttorney-General’s Chambers
Cheong Aik ChyeA C Cheong & Co.
Chong Thiam ChoyLoo & Chong

4. Facts

  1. The deceased, Yuen Swee Hong, was a taxi driver.
  2. On 11 April 2009, Yuen Swee Hong was kidnapped after picking up Wang Wenfeng.
  3. Chan Oi Lin, the deceased's wife, received calls demanding $150,000 for his release.
  4. The accused, Wang Wenfeng, stabbed the deceased during a robbery attempt.
  5. The deceased's body was found in Sembawang Park.
  6. Wang Wenfeng was arrested and charged with murder.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Public Prosecutor v Wang Wenfeng, Criminal Case No 4 of 2011, [2011] SGHC 208

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Accused first came to Singapore to work.
Accused's mother contracted stomach cancer.
Yuen Swee Hong was kidnapped and later found dead.
Chan Oi Lin received a call demanding $150,000 for the release of Yuen Swee Hong.
Chan Oi Lin received instructions to remit money to a China Construction Bank account.
Accused, Wang Wenfang, was arrested.
Accused planned to flee Singapore.
Accused led police to the deceased's body in Sembawang Park.
Autopsy of the deceased was conducted.
Accused demonstrated events in a similar taxi in court.
Judgment reserved.
Appeal dismissed by the Court of Appeal.

7. Legal Issues

  1. Intention to cause death
    • Outcome: The court found that the accused intended to cause bodily injury sufficient in the ordinary course of nature to cause death.
    • Category: Substantive
  2. Causation of death
    • Outcome: The court found that the cause of death was loss of blood from one or more stab wounds on the chest of the deceased inflicted by the Accused.
    • Category: Substantive

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Capital Punishment

9. Cause of Actions

  • Murder
  • Robbery

10. Practice Areas

  • Criminal Litigation

11. Industries

  • Transportation

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
No cited cases

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
No applicable rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Penal Code (Cap 224, 2008 Rev Ed)Singapore
s 300 of the Penal Code (Cap 224, 2008 Rev Ed)Singapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Murder
  • Kidnapping
  • Robbery
  • Stab wound
  • Capital punishment

15.2 Keywords

  • Murder
  • Kidnapping
  • Robbery
  • Singapore
  • High Court
  • Penal Code
  • Capital Punishment

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Murder95
Criminal Law90
Robbery80
Kidnapping70
Theft60
Criminal Procedure50
Evidence40

16. Subjects

  • Criminal Law