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Abby Choi murder trial opens in Hong Kong with prosecution alleging flat-sale motive

The trial of Abby Choi's ex-husband, his brother and their father opened in Hong Kong's High Court, where prosecutors said a dispute over selling a luxury flat drove the killing. All three deny murder; two admit preventing her lawful burial.

4 outlets · 0L · 3C · 1R First reported Account updated

Updated (version 2). New coverage since the last version from Arab News, Gulf News.

Image: South China Morning Post
Image: Arab News
Image: CNA
Image: Gulf News

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The story, neutrally told

The murder trial over the death of Hong Kong model and influencer Abby Choi, 28, opened in court on Wednesday 30 September. Her ex-husband Alex Kwong, his brother Anthony Kwong and their father Kwong Kau, a 68-year-old retired police sergeant, pleaded not guilty to murder, judge Brian Keith told a nine-person jury. Alex and Anthony Kwong pleaded guilty to preventing the lawful burial of a body, while, according to the South China Morning Post, Kwong Kau pleaded not guilty to that offence.

Prosecutor Charlotte Draycott said relations between Choi and the Kwong family deteriorated in 2022 after Choi tried to sell a luxury flat. Prosecutors said Choi had registered the flat in Kwong Kau's name to avoid higher tax, and that he became "extremely resentful and angry" at her attempt to sell it. They alleged he decided to kill her to keep the flat and that he and his sons agreed to act together, each playing a part.

The SCMP also reported that the court heard audio messages in which Choi described her former in-laws unflatteringly, and that Kwong Kau had once lunged at her over a power of attorney. Outlets differ on the flat's figure: the SCMP calls it a HK$72 million flat, while CNA and the AFP-based reports say Choi paid HK$60 million. The trial adjourned until Friday, when the prosecution's opening continues; it is expected to last until December, which the SCMP describes as eight weeks.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.

Left0 outlets

No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.

Centre3 outlets

Framing
SCMP leads with the prosecution's motive narrative and courtroom detail; CNA and Gulf News (AFP copy) lead with the defendants appearing in court in a case that shocked the city.
Emphasis
Motive over the flat, Choi's background and the plea positions; SCMP adds audio messages and jury selection.
Leaves out or plays down
The AFP-based pieces omit the audio messages, the lunge incident and the jury discharge; SCMP omits Choi's marriage history.
Charged language
“gruesome case”“sent shockwaves through the city”
For example
““extremely resentful and angry” over her insistence on selling a HK$72 million (US$9.2 million) flat” — South China Morning Post
“in a gruesome case that has sent shockwaves through the city.” — CNA

Right1 outlet

Framing
Arab News runs the same AFP text as the AFP-based centre outlets, with a summary line stressing the shocking nature and attention the case has drawn.
Emphasis
The shock and public attention around the case.
Leaves out or plays down
Lacks the SCMP's audio messages, lunge allegation and jury details.
Charged language
“gruesome case”“shocking murder case”
For example
“in a gruesome case that has sent shockwaves through the city.” — Arab News