Li Ye, a 40-year-old Chinese national, was sentenced to 12 years’ jail on Friday, July 24, for the fatal stabbing of her 56-year-old married lover following a relationship that soured due to financial disputes, according to court proceedings. Appearing in a standard purple prison outfit, Li pleaded guilty to one count of culpable homicide not amounting to murder for the May 8, 2024 attack inside their apartment.
Prosecution Arguments and Aggravating Factors
Deputy Public Prosecutors Grace Chua and Nicole Teo pressed for a sentence of 12 to 13 years, pointing to several aggravating factors, including that the victim was Li’s romantic partner who lived with her. “No partner is entitled to resort to violence,” Ms Chua stated in court. The prosecution noted that while Li experienced grievances regarding rent contributions and funds intended for her daughter’s school fees being diverted into foreign currency trading, she was obligated to seek lawful remedies instead of resorting to attacks.
Court documents detailed that Li had previously attempted to stab the victim with a pair of scissors just days before the fatal assault. Rejecting the defence’s characterization of the man as a trespasser when he entered the flat, Ms Chua established that he remained the legal tenant and had financially supported Li and her children before he stopped paying rent.
Did You Know? Li arranged for her daughter to move from China to Singapore in January 2022, instructing both of her children to treat the victim as their godfather and address him as “daddy.”
Events Leading to the Fatal Stabbing
The relationship deteriorated significantly after the victim suffered heavy losses in forex trading, ceased regular household contributions, and borrowed money, forcing Li to take over the full monthly rent by December 2023. On May 8, 2024, at approximately 1.20am, Li returned home from work to find the man lying on their shared bed and using his phone. When she demanded he leave, he walked to the kitchen without fighting back.
After he refused to depart, Li retrieved a kitchen knife featuring a 15cm blade. According to the prosecution, the victim attempted to de-escalate the confrontation by holding her knife-bearing hand and telling her to calm down before Li struck him once in the upper left chest. Li immediately sought assistance, instructed her daughter to call an ambulance, and remained at the scene until police arrived. The victim was pronounced dead at 2.30am at the hospital.
Court Sentencing and Judicial Remarks
Justice Kwek Mean Luck identified Li as the aggressor in a domestic violence incident, despite acknowledging the extensive history of conflict between the pair. While the defence requested a sentence between four-and-a-half and seven-and-a-half years, the judge noted appreciation for Li’s instruction not to contest the prosecution’s submissions regarding her penalty.
Reading from a letter submitted in mitigation, Justice Kwek addressed Li’s remorse and her separation from her children. “I appreciate the emotions that you feel as a result of this incident; that you are sorry to the deceased’s family, and that this also means you cannot be there to watch your children grow,” the judge stated, adding that her prison term was backdated to her May 2024 arrest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sentence did Li Ye receive?
Li received a 12-year prison sentence, backdated to her arrest in May 2024, after pleading guilty to one count of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
When did the fatal attack take place?
The stabbing occurred at approximately 1.40am on May 8, 2024, inside the apartment shared by Li and the victim.
What was the primary cause of friction in the relationship?
The relationship soured due to severe money troubles, including the victim’s heavy losses in foreign exchange trading, his failure to contribute to household expenses and rent, and accusations that he used funds meant for Li’s daughter’s school fees.
What factors could influence how similar domestic conflict cases are prosecuted and adjudicated in the future?
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