The High Court has postponed the next stage of the trial of a 61-year-old mainland Chinese man accused of a 1991 murder and attempted robbery, so a jury can be directed to decide whether he is fit to stand trial. Man Wan-yip appeared in court on 3 September 2026, and the case was adjourned to the following day.
The charges relate to an alleged armed robbery at the ground-floor premises of Sun Fat Company at 1A Pei Ho Street, Sham Shui Po, on 9 June 1991. The prosecution alleges that Man, acting with other unidentified people, murdered a man identified in the charge as Cheng Kai-lam or Cheng Kai-lim and attempted to rob several people.
Man, who holds a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macau, was arrested after entering Hong Kong in November 2023. He is charged with murder and attempted robbery. A Ming Pao report said he was arrested after entering through Shenzhen Bay Port on 11 November that year.
The defence says Man has lung cancer that has spread to his brain and underwent surgery to remove a brain tumour. Ming Pao reported that he had emergency surgery at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on 24 July 2024 and that the tumour was later identified as metastatic brain cancer.
Two psychiatric assessment reports from Siu Lam Psychiatric Hospital were cited in support of the defence argument that Man lacks the mental capacity to plead to the charges. The reports were said to conclude that he could respond only with simple words or gestures, could not give instructions to his lawyers and did not understand the difference between pleading guilty and not guilty.
Man appeared in a wheelchair and used hearing equipment in court. Reports said correctional officers helped him adjust his posture or supported him. The accounts differed on details of the premises and the deceased’s name and age, so those points have not been resolved here.
Judge Tam Yiu-ho is expected to direct the jury on 4 September to consider whether Man has the capacity to participate in the proceedings. The eventual handling of the murder and attempted robbery charges remains unresolved.