During the two-day sentence hearing at the NSW Supreme Court, it was revealed that the man accused of murdering 19-year-old university student Liqun Pan before falling from a fourth-floor balcony in south Sydney will argue that he had a severe mental impairment in a bid to lessen his sentence. The victim, Liqun Pan, was found stabbed to death inside the Wolli Creek apartment she shared with her boyfriend, Weiji He, on June 28, 2020. He, who was found seriously injured the day before after falling from the apartment block, spent seven months in a coma before being charged with murder. Pan, a Chinese international student studying English on a student visa, had traveled to Australia with He to study together.
At the beginning of the court hearing, He appeared in his prison greens, seated in a wheelchair and occasionally rocking back and forth. Despite his guilty plea, He will rely on psychological evidence of a mental impairment to seek a reduction in his moral culpability and consequently his sentence. The main issue discussed during the hearing was the circumstances surrounding He’s alleged drug-induced psychosis and whether it was a result of immediate intoxication or related to a severe mental illness. The Crown prosecutor, Rossi Kotsis, suggested that there were instances where He provided inaccurate information about relevant matters and that there would be submissions regarding his ability to walk around using a frame during his recovery.
In June 2022, He underwent a mental fitness inquiry in the NSW Supreme Court to determine whether he was fit to stand trial. The court heard arguments regarding the nature of He’s mental state at the time of the alleged murder and his subsequent fall from the balcony. Justice Julia Lonergan presided over the hearing and acknowledged that the issue of drug-induced psychosis and its relationship to mental illness would be central to the case. The defense will likely present evidence to support their claim that He’s actions were a result of a severe mental impairment, which would factor into the sentencing decision.
The case has raised questions about the intersection of mental health and criminal responsibility, particularly in cases involving severe mental impairment. The defense’s argument that He was not fully responsible for his actions due to a mental illness will be closely scrutinized during the sentencing process. The prosecution will likely challenge the defense’s claims, raising questions about He’s accuracy in reporting relevant information and his actions during his recovery. The court will need to carefully consider all evidence presented before making a decision on He’s sentence.
The tragedy involving Liqun Pan and Weiji He has highlighted the complexities that can arise in cases involving both mental health issues and criminal behavior. The court’s decision on He’s sentence will likely be influenced by the evidence presented regarding his mental state and the circumstances surrounding Pan’s death. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of considering mental health factors when determining criminal culpability and sentencing in such cases. The outcome of this trial will have implications for future cases involving similar circumstances and will be closely watched by legal and mental health professionals alike.
