Taipei: The Taiwan High Court on Thursday altered the original sentencing of American-born Taiwanese basketball player Quincy Davis in a domestic dispute case, changing the ruling from domestic violence to negligence injury. The case came about after a disagreement between Davis and his ex-wife outside Chingpu Police Station in Taoyuan’s Zhongli District in May 2023 over a family matter.

According to Focus Taiwan, in late March 2024, the Taoyuan District Court found Davis guilty of domestic violence, sentencing him to 30 days in jail which could be commuted to a fine of NT$30,000 (US$900). Davis then reaffirmed his innocence and appealed the ruling which led to the case being forwarded to the Taiwan High Court.

The High Court, after reviewing the case, determined that during the argument, Davis had grabbed his ex-wife from behind without thinking, rather than intentionally causing her harm. The panel of judges noted that the dispute was brief and the minor injury she sustained suggested that Davis had not intended to inflict harm.

The judges emphasized that Davis should have released his ex-wife as soon as she decided to walk away, as his physical stature could inadvertently cause harm. Therefore, Davis was held accountable for negligent injury due to his failure to foresee the potential for causing injury, as stated by the court.

The High Court further agreed with Davis’s reason for appealing, acknowledging that he was not guilty of assault. As a result of the new ruling, Davis’s sentence was reduced from 30 days to 20 days, which can be commuted to a fine of NT$20,000.