2 Suspects in Liu Slaying Transferred to Prosecutors

TAIPEI, Taiwan —  Justice Ministry investigators today turned over to prosecutors two reputed gangsters suspected in connection with the killing last October of a Chinese-American writer at his California home, the government said.

The writer, Henry Liu, 52, a critic of the Taiwan government, was shot to death Oct. 15 in Daly City.

The Government Information Office said Justice Ministry investigators turned over to the prosecutors Chen Chi-li, 39, and Wu Tun, 34, reputed members of Taiwan’s largest underworld organization, the Bamboo Gang. An information office spokesman added that no charges have yet been filed.

Chen Named in Warrant

Chen has been named in a San Mateo County murder warrant in Liu’s slaying. Police there said they believe Wu also was involved but said they lacked evidence to obtain an arrest warrant there.

Taiwanese authorities say Chen and Wu cannot be extradited to California to stand trial because there is no extradition treaty between Taiwan and the United States. Taiwan maintains it has the right to try its nationals for crimes committed abroad.

Chen and Wu were arrested last November in an anti-crime sweep here unrelated to Liu’s slaying.

If the district court prosecutors decide there is a case, the two will be tried. There was no indication how long it would take the prosecutors to complete their investigation.