A Taichung court has ruled that a fatal drug-driving case will be heard by regular judges instead of a citizen jury panel, a decision framed as sparing the victim's family further trauma.

• A 39-year-old man drove a Mercedes while high on a synthetic drug and hit an 88-year-old woman collecting recyclables on the street.
• He sat still in the car for 19 seconds, then drove forward and ran her over; she died of severe head, neck and pelvic injuries.
• Police found drugs in his urine, and prosecutors charged him with causing death while driving under the influence.
• He has admitted everything and already settled compensation with the family, so the court said the facts are no longer in real dispute.
• The court also worried a high-profile public trial would put more psychological strain on the family.

Outlook: The case now moves through ordinary criminal proceedings, where the main question left is the length of his sentence.