Jury In Murder Trial Disbanded As Judge Falls Ill

A High Court judge has ordered a seven-member jury that has been hearing the "body-in-cement" murder case for 27 days to be disbanded.

High Court Judge Anthea Pang said jurors had to be dismissed because the trial judge in the case, Patrick Li, is ill and requires urgent treatment. She said he will not be able to return to hearing the case anytime soon.

Tsang Cheung-yan, Keith Lau, and Cheung Sin-hang are accused of murdering 28-year-old Cheung Man-li at an industrial unit in Tsuen Wan two years ago.

Cheung's body was found sealed in a concrete block. The three defendants lived in a unit in the building where the body was found.

Senior Counsel Ronny Tong, who is also an executive councillor, said he believed it would be a few months before the trial could be restarted.

Tong said a new trial could be more effective, with the first effectively having served as a "rehearsal".

"Therefore the lawyers would know what are the weaknesses of a witness, or the strength of a particular witness testimony and they could exploit that to the fullest."

The downside, Tong added, is that the defendants could rack up additional court costs, unless they are receiving legal aid.