According to the South China Morning Post, at Hong Kong’s High Court on September 24, Alex Kwong, Abby Choi’s ex-husband, and his brother Anthony Kwong admitted to preventing the lawful burial of the victim’s body between February 21 and 23, 2023. However, both pleaded not guilty to murder.
Kwong Kau, the father of Alex and Anthony, denied both charges. According to the indictment, the three men are accused of jointly taking part in the killing of Abby Choi on February 21, 2023. The trial is expected to last around eight weeks.
Also on September 24, the court completed the selection of a nine-member jury consisting of seven men and two women. They will consider evidence and arguments surrounding allegations that three members of Choi’s former husband’s family conspired to murder the 28-year-old model before dismembering her body at a house in Lung Mei Village, Tai Po.
Justice Brian Keith said the case had attracted significant attention in Hong Kong and internationally, instructing jurors not to read news reports or online comments about the case during the trial. Potentially disturbing materials, including photographs, will not be shown to the jury unless they are genuinely necessary for consideration of the case.
The jury selection process lasted around three hours. Of the 68 people randomly summoned, 59 were excused for various reasons, including limited English proficiency or pre-arranged travel plans.
The trial began on September 21, although the opening days were primarily devoted to handling pre-trial legal matters. The judge imposed a temporary restriction on reporting the contents of those arguments until the trial concludes.
On September 28, prosecutor Charlotte Draycott is expected to deliver the opening statement, marking the point at which the prosecution formally begins presenting its case to the jury.
According to HK01, Abby Choi went missing on February 21, 2023. Three days later, police discovered parts of her body at a house rented by Kwong Kau in Tai Po. Authorities seized a number of items believed to be connected to the case, including cutting tools, a meat grinder and the victim’s personal belongings.
Police said at the time that there were signs the crime had been planned in advance and investigated a financial dispute between Choi and her former husband’s family. One issue reported by Hong Kong media involved an approximately 169-square-meter apartment in Kadoorie Hill, Ho Man Tin, which was purchased in 2019 for around HK$73 million but registered under Kwong Kau’s name.
Abby Choi died at the age of 28. She was active in the fashion industry, frequently attended international events and shared glimpses of her life on Instagram. Just days before her disappearance, she posted photos of herself attending a Dior show during Paris Fashion Week.
Sources: Ngoisao