Chou Appears in Court via Video Link 涉教會槍擊案 周文偉透過視訊首度出庭

California church shooting suspect David Chou from Taiwan has been charged with 10 counts, including first-degree murder. He may face the death penalty if convicted.

Taiwanese immigrant David Chou attacked the Taiwanese Presbyterian Church in Irvine, California with a gun on the 15th, killing one Taiwanese American and injuring five others. He is currently detained in the Orange County Intake Release Center. He appeared in court for the first time on the 17th by video, asking for a delay in court proceedings. The judge agreed to subpoena Chou on June 10. Orange County prosecutors pointed out that Chou will be charged with 10 counts of murder, attempted murder, and possession of explosives. Prosecutors said he could face the death penalty if convicted. 

The Taiwan Presbyterian Church held a moment of silence on the 18th for Dr. John Cheng, who fought bravely against Chou but unfortunately died. The church strongly condemned the violence, saying that hatred cannot promote mutual understanding. The Taiwan Association of University Professors pointed out that the United States has already listed the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification as an agent of the Chinese government. The TAUP said the Council's members should be prohibited from entering Taiwan.

Cheng Mu-chun, Secretary-General, Taiwan Association of University Professors: “The China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification is already considered an agent acting on behalf of the Chinese government. But in Taiwan, groups like this council hide behind our liberal democracy and continue to affect us. They even affect our national security.”

Hsu Wen-tang, President, Taiwan Association of University Professors: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should ban entry to members of the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification. The Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Overseas Community Affairs Council should investigate if there are overseas offices that fund the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification's operation in Taiwan.”

The TAUP pointed out that Taiwan's national security apparatus must investigate whether Taiwan unification factions and groups are related to China's United Front Work Department. The Executive and the Legislative Yuan should enact legislation to deter foreign agents from harming Taiwan. Legislators said they will look into amending the law to hand out heavier punishment for hate crimes and improve the legal system.

台灣移民周文偉15日持槍攻擊美國南加州爾灣台灣基督長老教會，造成台裔人士1死5傷的悲劇，目前被關押在橘郡中央監獄，17日透過視訊首度出庭，要求延遲提訊。法官同意6月10日才傳訊周文偉，橘郡檢察官指出，周文偉將依謀殺、謀殺未遂以及持有爆裂物等10項罪名被起訴。檢察官表示，最重恐面臨死刑。

台灣基督長老教會總會18日為英勇對抗周嫌，卻不幸身亡的鄭達志醫師默哀，也強烈譴責暴力，表示仇恨無法促成彼此理解，台灣教授協會則指出，和統會已被美國視為中國政府的代理人，應禁止和統會的成員入境台灣。

台灣教授協會秘書長鄭睦群說：「在美國這個和統會，已經被認為是代理人團體，但是在台灣，他們這樣的團體，卻躲在我們自由民主的背後，然後持續影響我們，甚至影響我們的國家安全。」

台灣教授協會會長許文堂表示：「外交部以後要禁止中國和平統一促進會的成員入境，外交部、僑委會應該要清查在外單位，是不是對這些統促團體有補助。」

台灣教授協會指出，國安單位必須清查台灣統派跟中國統戰部是否有關聯，行政院、立法院應就外國代理人危害台灣立法嚇阻，對此，立委強調，將會研議修法，針對仇恨罪加重處罰，完善法制面。