The Coroner’s Court hears a death inquest of a deaf and dumb psychiatric patient who jumped-from-height approximately 18 hours after his discharge from the psychiatric ward.

The Court heard evidence from the deceased’s family, social worker of the deceased, the Case Medical Officer who treated the deceased during his admission, a psychiatrist as an independent expert, and other witnesses.

Simon So (with Herman Ho) represented the deceased’s family in the death inquest. The death inquest (initially listed with 4 days reserved) lasted for 6 days. The Coroner left three verdicts to the jury: (i) the deceased killed himself; (ii) the deceased killed himself whilst the balance of his mind was disturbed; and (iii) open verdict. The jury unanimously found that the deceased killed himself whilst the balance of his mind was disturbed. Recommendations were also given by the jury to the Hospital Authority.