Former Taipei Deputy Mayor Peng Zhen-sheng Collapses in Court After Wife's Death

On June 27, 2025, former Deputy Mayor of Taipei, Peng Zhen-sheng, collapsed in the Taipei District Court after receiving the devastating news of his wife's suspected suicide, confirming reports of her death following a fall from their apartment in Kaohsiung. As the court session was scheduled to examine a video recording related to the corruption case involving Mayor Ko Wen-je, Peng's emotional state deteriorated rapidly. He was heard crying out, "Why is this happening to me, my Lord? What wrong have I done?" He accused the prosecutors of being "too cruel" and needed medical assistance, requiring an ambulance for his transport after experiencing respiratory distress caused by his outburst.

Despite this emotional turmoil leading up to the court, Peng and his legal team maintained their position regarding the charges against them, having previously acknowledged the prosecution's allegations while denying any claims of coercive questioning. His lawyers reinforced that they had been present during all questioning sessions, and the alleged gaps in video recording were merely breaks for personal needs, not indicative of improper conduct. The judge proceeded to review evidence related to another individual, Zhu Ya-hu, as the trial continues. The emotional toll of his wife's death raises significant questions about the implications for Peng's case, which involves serious charges of corruption dating back to 2020.