Father under suspicion for the murder of his two children is reportedly battling depression, according to court proceedings
In a shocking turn of events, Salesman Chen Guocheng, 40, made his first court appearance at the Kowloon City Court on Friday. The tragedy involving Chen and his two young children was first reported on August 27, with the alleged crimes occurring last month.
Chen is currently in custody and is facing two counts of murder. Prosecutors have asked for a 12-week adjournment to allow police to conduct further inquiries.
Prior to his court appearance, Chen underwent a psychiatric evaluation at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Yau Ma Tei. The psychiatric report, however, the specific details of which are not publicly available, stated that Chen is fit to attend hearings. A concerning finding from the report was that Chen was found to be suicidal.
The incident came to light when Chen's eight-year-old son, Chen Ka-nok, missed a tuition class. This led to the boy's mother contacting the police after receiving a call from the tuition centre about his whereabouts.
The court hearing took place on a Friday, and the case of Salesman Chen Guocheng has been adjourned until late November. During this time, Chen has the option to apply for bail before a High Court judge. It is important to note that bail applications are not automatically granted and are decided on a case-by-case basis.
The court order also instructs the submission of the psychiatric report to the Correctional Services Department. This is a standard procedure in cases where a defendant's mental health is a factor in the proceedings.
As the investigation continues, the community is left to grapple with the tragic events that have unfolded. Our thoughts are with the victims' family and friends during this difficult time.
