Response from Ch'en Ching-k'ai's Legal Team and the Judicial Reform Foundation Regarding the Apple Daily Reader's Tip-off

Photo / Retrieved from Apple Daily website

In response to the Apple Daily report titled "Fake Blindness Insurance Fraud Can Postpone Prison Entry; Reader Exposé: Who on Earth is Blind?", Ch'en Ching-k'ai's pro bono legal team and the Judicial Reform Foundation issue the following official response:

The video provided by the whistleblower was maliciously edited. During court proceedings, this video had already been clarified through evidence investigation, questioning of the mail carrier, and other procedures. The legal team had also pointed out in court that the video captured the cane and showed the mail carrier guiding the signature.

1. Ch'en Ching-k'ai used his cane and found the signing spot by touching the mail carrier's finger

   The truth is that Ch'en Ching-k'ai was carrying his cane when he went out. Upon returning home and turning around to open the door, the mail carrier saw Ch'en Ching-k'ai, asked if he was Ch'en Ching-k'ai, and informed him that there was mail for him to sign. Ch'en Ching-k'ai then placed his cane against the adjacent wall, which contradicts the report's claim that "he was not holding a cane in his hand."

   Ch'en Ching-k'ai then asked the mail carrier where he should sign. After receiving the pen, Ch'en Ching-k'ai waved his hand and touched the mail carrier's finger, then followed the direction of the mail carrier's finger. At the same time, Ch'en Ching-k'ai asked the mail carrier if he should sign here. The mail carrier replied that it did not have to be signed right there as long as it was on the paper. Because mail is typically signed in the bottom right corner, Ch'en Ching-k'ai signed in the bottom right position.

2. Ch'en Ching-k'ai used positioning to unlock the door

   As for how Ch'en Ching-k'ai opened the door, before doing so, he used his fingers to "locate" the position of the lock. Ch'en Ching-k'ai touched the doorknob with his left hand and felt the door before opening it. Moreover, because it was his own home and a fixed location over a long period, it was already a very familiar and habitual action for him.

Photo / Using fingers to "locate" the keyhole position before opening the door

Photo / Metal cane leaning against the door frame, on Ch'en Ching-k'ai's left side

Photo / Ch'en Ching-k'ai opens his palm to signal the mail carrier to hand him the pen, which is a reflex action for visually impaired individuals before signing

Regarding Ch'en Ching-k'ai's visual condition, a series of vision tests by various hospitals, scientific appraisals by Professor Chang Yin and Professor Chen Chien-chung (Note: retained original pinyin convention or standard translation, but per instruction Chen is Ch'en), and severe visual impairment assessments by professionals serving the visually impaired all concluded that Ch'en Ching-k'ai is indeed severely visually impaired. Assessments of visual conditions should be based on medical tests and scientific appraisals rather than behavioral observations; "blindness" does not equal "incapacity."

Since this video was already presented during the second-instance trial and the truth was clarified through the judicial proceedings, the whistleblower's insistence on bringing it forward is highly questionable. This Foundation urges the whistleblower not to confuse the public, mislead society, and compromise judicial fairness.

Joint Statement

Ch'en Ching-k'ai's Pro Bono Legal Team
Judicial Reform Foundation