Zeng Wunyan was diagnosed from childhood with Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Conduct Disorder, which later developed into Antisocial Personality Disorder.
He had previously resided in a Buddhist hall, where he left following a verbal altercation with the person in charge's child (one of the victims). After expressing his desire to return but being refused, he harboured resentment. Due to the characteristics associated with Antisocial Personality Disorder, on 14 December 2019 at approximately 01:14, he carried petrol and poured it on the entrance hall and corridor of the Buddhist hall before igniting it, causing an explosive combustion that generated intense flames and heavy smoke. Nine people managed to escape upon timely discovery of the fire, whereas seven people failed to escape and were burnt to death.
After setting the fire, he also suffered burns to both lower legs and consequently voluntarily dialled 110 to report the incident, explaining the circumstances to the police officers who arrived.
In this case, a pre-sentencing investigation and assessment was conducted on the defendant, along with supplementary evaluation regarding his rehabilitation and correction prospects. Based on comprehensive assessment results and related materials, the court held: the defendant has Antisocial Personality Disorder; although there is potential for change, if the defendant lacks comprehensive family and societal support systems in the future, given the personality traits and characteristics stemming from his Antisential Personality Disorder, the possibility of him committing further serious crimes such as murder remains extremely high, and the likelihood of rehabilitation and correction is very low. The court determined that the assessment findings did not permit sentence reduction.
Ultimately, as this case met the requirements for voluntary surrender, his sentence was reduced in accordance with surrender provisions. Furthermore, on 20 September 2024, the Constitutional Court announced Judgment No. 8 of Year 113 (113 年憲判字第8號). Following the spirit of this constitutional judgment, the defendant having "Antisocial Personality Disorder" constitutes a special impairment under Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights concerning the right to life, and Paragraph 49, first part, of General Comment No. 36, thereby providing dual grounds for avoiding imposition of the death penalty.
The first-instance judgment in late 2020 sentenced the defendant to death. Upon appeal, the second instance in 2022 changed the sentence to life imprisonment, which has been maintained until final determination.