Taipei: The Supreme Court has confirmed the prison sentences exceeding 10 years for two junior high school students from New Taipei, as determined by the Taiwan High Court. The students were convicted of murder in a case that dates back over two years.

According to Focus Taiwan, the incident occurred on December 25, 2023, when a girl went to a different classroom during a lunch break and was asked to leave by a boy. The girl then called a male student she knew to confront the boy. This confrontation resulted in the boy being fatally stabbed with a spring-loaded knife.

The identities of the involved minors, including the victim and the school, remain undisclosed in compliance with the Juvenile Justice Act, which restricts the release of information related to juvenile criminal cases. In September 2024, the New Taipei juvenile court convicted the two students of murder. The boy received a nine-year sentence, while the girl was sentenced to eight years, as minors are eligible for reduced sentences.

The victim’s parents criticized the juvenile justice system, claiming it was too lenient and protective of offenders. They argued that the students’ apologies were prompted by judicial guidance rather than genuine remorse.

After an appeal, the Taiwan High Court increased the sentences to 12 years for the boy and 11 years for the girl. The court referenced the clear evidence of their actions and noted that the initial ruling did not adequately consider medical assessments and the boy’s potential risk of reoffending.

The Supreme Court, in its final decision, found no errors in the High Court’s ruling and upheld the increased sentences, concluding the case.