The appeal application of feng shui guru Peter Chan Chun-chuen, who had been convicted of forging the will of late Chinachem Group chairperson Nina Wang, was denied by the High Court on Friday.
The ex-feng shui geomancer, who was known as Tony Chan Chun-chung before his conversion to Christian and baptism, was convicted of using a “false instrument” and sentenced to 12 years in jail in 2013.
The Court of Appeal judge denied Chan’s application for permission to appeal his conviction and sentence. This means that Chan will continue serving time behind bars in Stanley Prison.
After the death of Nina Wang in 2007, Chan came forward with pictures of the two together, as well as a copy of a will allegedly made by Wang in 2006 which named Chan as the sole beneficiary of Wang’s HK$83 billion estate. Chan lost the inheritance battle to Chinachem Charitable Foundation Limited in 2010 and was subsequently arrested for forging the will.
Chan was represented by barrister James Wood in the appeal, after two lawyers on Chan’s legal team – Andrew Kan and Senior Counsel Alexander King – passed away this year.
Wood argued that the media coverage of the high profile case deprived Chan of a fair trial and questioned the credibility of a witness’ testimony, but the prosecution said that their case relied on more than just the witness’ evidence. Wood also said that the judge failed to give proper guidance to the jury and ignored the unusual circumstances surrounding the case.
The judge, however, said the direction of the ruling was correct and that the jury had been properly guided in coming to a verdict. He also said that the sentencing was appropriate, RTHK reported.
