The trial of slain Hong Kong socialite and model Abby Choi continued on its 18th day with testimonials from her partner and father-in-law. The court heard on Friday the financial relationship between the families and gambling debts connected to the couple at the High Court before Deputy High Court Judge Brian Keith.
TamJai Yunnan Mixian founder, Tam Chak-kwan, provided evidence of his support to his son and Choi during their relationship. His son, Chris Tam Fong-chun, talked about settling gambling debts in Macau with his father.
Choi’s ex-husband, Alex Kwong Kong-chi, his father Kwong Kau, and brother Anthony Kwong Kong-kit stand trial for the murder and dismemberment of Choi on Feb. 21, 2023. All three defendants have denied charges on murder.
Kwong Kau pleaded not guilty to preventing the lawful burial of a body, while both of his sons have pleaded guilty to that charge.
Financial Relationship with Choi
Tam Chak-kwan said that his son and Choi did not register their marriage, and mentioned that the couple had a very happy relationship. He and his wife, Yau Mei-fung, said that they had no issue with Choi’s family background of two children with Alex Kwong.
The former restaurant owner used to live in a Manhattan Hill private estate flat in Lai Chi Kok worth HK$41 million, which he gave to Choi. He also said that he gave her more than HK$80 million worth of investments.
The court heard that Choi handled the finances. When asked, Tam Chak-kwan said that this is because his daughter-in-law is more mature and organized than his son. He said that the model can better manage money and decide on good investments.
Gambling debt in Macau
A gambling debt of HK$5 million was incurred at a Macau casino from Chris Tam. He was with Choi and Anthony Kwong in August 2021, and Tam Chuk-kwan eventually settled the payment.
His father paid HK$6 million as the extra amount is “tea money,” a payment to people connected to underworld intermediaries. Following the casino’s original entity closure, this will be used to help repay the original creditors.
According to the court, Tam Chuk-kwan sought Kwong Kau’s help, a former police officer, and provided a check to settle the repayment. He said that the debt collectors stopped harassing his family after the debt was settled.
In early 2022, his father said that five “fierce” men harassed him demanding for the HK$5 million gambling debt. Kwong Kau initially helped him to file a police report, but eventually got frustrated with the police investigation.
In his testimony, Kwong Kau allegedly said that debt can be settled through “people in the underworld.” Tam Chuk-kwan then transferred HK$5 million to Kwong Kau’s bank account, and added HK$450,000 as “tea money.”
What has happened
Abby Choi Tin-fung was a 28-year-old model, influencer, and socialite. She has two children from her first marriage with Alex Kwong, and another two with partner Chris Tam.
Choi was reported missing on Feb. 21, 2023. Her dismembered body was found after three days, inside a rented home in Tai Po, New Territories. The three defendants are accused of direct murder of the socialite and are currently facing a 45-day trial at the High Court, the first trial held on Sept 21.
Prosecutors allege that the killing is connected to a dispute over Choi’s plan to sell a Kadoorie Hill luxury flat worth HK$72 million. Kwong Kau had been living in the flat and the proposed sale allegedly made him enlist his sons to kill Choi to keep the property. The defence challenges the prosecution, and the allegations are still not proven.
The trial of Choi has already been delayed by legal arguments and the change of the first set of jurors. Deputy High Court Judge Brian Keith discharged the entire jury on Sept. 29 following the withdrawal of a juror with health concerns. A new nine-member jury was later selected to hear the case.
The trial continues for its 19th day today.