Hong Kong construction bosses charged with manslaughter after death of two workers released on bail

Shum Yuk-kuen, 62, director of Shum Development, a subcontractor at the construction site, and Yip Lai-pan, 40, project manager for main contractor Raft (E&M) Engineering, were released under bail Wednesday after their appearance in Kowloon. Municipal court for a fifth hearing.

The two men are accused of “unlawfully killing” Lau Ho-cheong, 63, and Kwok For-kee, 61, who worked in an underground venue at the Lyric Theater Complex at 1 Austin Road West in the Kowloon Cultural District West between September 23. and 24 last year.

The victims' bodies were discovered after being trapped for more than 12 hours in the underground tube filled with hydrogen sulfide.

The prosecution told the court that a new expert report had been submitted to the Ministry of Justice after the latest adjournment, describing the concentration of hydrogen sulphide – known as “sewer gas” and which has a characteristic smell of rotten eggs – necessary for killing.

The prosecution added that a separate report revealed that the times of death of the two workers were a few hours apart.

He said the ministry would need more time to analyze the new evidence, which involved a significant amount of scientific information, and that a three-month adjournment was necessary.

Defense lawyers asked the court to consider bail for the defendants, who were in pre-trial detention.

Magistrate Kestrel Lam Tsz-hong noted that the prosecution had requested several adjournments after the two defendants first appeared in court last September.

“Although the case is complicated and involves a lot of data collection, the defendants have, however, been in remand for some time,” Lam said. “There is still a long way to go before the case comes to trial. »

Lam released Shum on bail of HK$100,000 (US$12,805), with his son guaranteeing the same amount as surety.

Yip was released on HK$130,000 bail, with a surety of the same amount provided by his sister.

Both men were ordered to surrender their passports, stay in Hong Kong and report to the police three times a week.

They were also asked not to spend the night anywhere other than their home.

The case was adjourned until September 13.