Make Ruling Based On Evidence, Not Opinion: Coroner

Jurors probing the death of university student Chow Tsz-lok during the anti-government protests in 2019 were told by the coroner on Thursday to make their judgement based on the evidence presented in court, not their personal views.

Giving instructions to the five-member jury on day 27 of the inquest, coroner David Ko said the police and protesters have different opinions about the case, but the jurors shouldn’t decide if anyone was in the right or wrong simply out of their own beliefs.

Ko added there was no evidence showing the University of Science and Technology student had taken part in a protest near the Tseung Kwan O car park where he was later found seriously injured following an apparent fall.

He said police could not find a helmet or other protest-related gear in Chow's bag, and the jurors should not speculate on his reason for being in the car park.

The coroner also said it’s up to the jurors to accept or reject which of the 48 witness testimonies and 142 pieces of evidence that were submitted to the court.

Ko added he believes a shadow captured by a security camera indeed showed Chow falling, saying the time of the footage matched the other evidence.

The coroner added that the jury can make reference to live media footage and photos taken by passers-by to determine the timeline of the incident and reliability of certain testimonies, after expert witnesses said the time reference provided by police may be inaccurate.

After the coroner finishes summing up the case, the jury will retire and try to reach a verdict.

______________________________