Statement from the Pro Bono Defense Team of the “Hsichih Trio” on the Passing of Dr. Henry C. Lee
(TAIPEI, TAIWAN) – The pro bono legal defense team representing Su Chien-ho, Liu Bin-lang, and Chuang Lin-hsun—three men exonerated from death row and widely known as the “Hsichih Trio” in Taiwan—released the following statement mourning the loss of world-renowned forensic scientist Dr. Henry C. Lee and honoring his guiding principle of letting the evidence speak for itself:
“We extend our deepest condolences and highest respects following the passing of Dr. Henry C. Lee.
Dr. Lee’s involvement in the Hsichih Trio case began on September 11, 2002, when he submitted a written expert opinion identifying serious flaws in both the methodology and the conclusions of the government’s forensic report against the defendants. Subsequently, on May 4, 2007, the Taiwan High Court summoned Dr. Lee to explain his findings in court, where he emphasized the critical need for a full crime scene reconstruction. Commissioned by the court, Dr. Lee visited the murder scene in Hsichih on June 20, 2008, to conduct this reconstruction and finalize his forensic report. On August 13, 2010, he returned to the stand as an expert witness for cross-examination, testifying that based on spatial constraints, bloodstain patterns, wound types, and other physical evidence, it was highly likely that the murders were carried out by a single killer, Wang Wen-hsiao. Dr. Lee’s forensic report and courtroom testimony were ultimately adopted by the High Court, serving as the crucial evidence that led to the trio’s final acquittal in 2012 and ending a wrongful conviction that had devastated their lives since 1991.
Through his meticulous work on this case, Dr. Lee established three invaluable precedents for Taiwan’s judicial system. First, expert opinions presented to the court must be grounded in hard evidence, rigorous methodology, and scientific principles, rather than tailored to fit the preconceived conclusions of law enforcement. Second, expert witnesses cannot merely hide behind written reports; they must appear in court in person to face cross-examination and public scrutiny. Third, experts have a duty to help the court understand their findings, rather than simply appealing to their own authority. These three paradigms are profoundly precious because, even today, they remain evidentiary principles that Taiwan’s judiciary urgently needs to fully establish.
Dr. Lee earned the profound respect of countless legal professionals through the unwavering moral courage he showed in routinely taking the stand, subjecting his professional opinions to universal scrutiny. He put into action his core belief: ‘Let the evidence speak for itself.’ He showed us that the true value of professionalism lies not just in knowledge, but in the courage to uphold truth and justice in the face of power, bias, and entrenched prejudice.
Though Dr. Lee has passed, his example endures. As we mourn his loss, we also renew our hope that Taiwan’s judicial system will remember what he stood for: letting evidence speak, adhering to scientific method, respecting open examination, and upholding due process. Only then can the justice system come closer to the truth and earn the trust of the people.”
Pro Bono Defense Team for the “Hsichih Trio”
Attorneys Su Yiu-Chen, Hsu Wun-Pin, Ku Chia-Chun, Wellington Koo, Lo Bing-Cheng, Yu Po-Hsiang, and Yeh Chien-Ting
March 31, 2026
Editorial Note:
This statement was originally published on the memorial Kudoboard for Dr. Henry C. Lee. It is republished here in recognition of Dr. Lee’s outstanding contributions to justice and the protection of victims’ rights. For the original message and additional tributes, please visit:
https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/DSTe1RGL/kudos/90597725