Abby Choi case day 19: Witness A testifies, defence asks when account was first given to police

The trial in the Abby Choi case (HCCC 198/2025) resumed at the High Court on 20 October 2026, the 19th day of hearings. The prosecution called a kitchenware shop assistant, who was granted anonymity and is referred to as Witness A. A former private driver and an estate agent also gave evidence. Witness A testified that a man chose a meat grinder and other kitchenware in the shop. In cross-examination, the defence put questions about when the witness first gave an account to police, and about the installation of the machine and its limits with bones.

Witness A says a man bought kitchenware and paid HK$8,700 after a discount

Examination-in-chief

Witness A testified that at around noon on 8 February 2023 a man came into the shop and asked about meat grinders, but did not say what he wanted the grinder for.

Witness A said the man chose an Italian-made grinder priced about HK$2,000 to HK$3,000 higher than other models. Witness A said the machine was of better quality and ground meat more finely.

Witness A also testified that, besides the grinder, the man bought a 14 by 14 inch stockpot, a 15 inch chopping board and an 11 inch strainer. Witness A said the receipt for these goods came to HK$9,153, and after a discount HK$8,700 was paid.

Witness A said the man then asked whether the shop had a machine that could crush bones. Witness A showed him a product catalogue and quoted about HK$35,000, and the man asked whether the machine could process bones as well. Witness A testified that someone said the price was too high and the machine was not bought.

CCTV footage from the shop was played in court. The prosecution showed Witness A exhibits including the stockpot and chopping board, each wrapped in thick plastic bags. A court officer measured each item with a ruler, and Witness A confirmed that the sizes matched goods the shop sold at the time, and that the stockpot, chopping board and strainer in court were consistent with items of the same type the shop sold.

Cross-examination

In cross-examination, Witness A agreed that the first time she or he gave an account to police was on 2 March 2023, about three weeks later.

Witness A testified to recalling that the man had used the term bone-dissolving machine when asking about a bone-crushing machine.

The defence put to Witness A that this type of machine must be installed by a technician and can only handle small bones; Witness A replied that she or he did not know. Witness A also testified that the shop had never sold that model, and agreed that few people buy such machines.

Re-examination

In re-examination, Witness A said that, as understood, chicken bones and pork bones can be put into that type of machine.

A former private driver says he was hired in May 2021 on a monthly salary of HK$20,000

Examination-in-chief

A former private driver testified that he was hired from May 2021 on a monthly salary of HK$20,000.

He also testified that in November 2022 defendant Anthony Kwong Kong-kit asked him to take two months of unpaid leave, after which he resigned. His last working day was 15 November 2022.

An estate agent says the Kadoorie Hill flat sold for HK$60,606,000

Examination-in-chief

An estate agent testified that in 2019 he handled the purchase of a flat at Kadoorie Hill by defendant Kwong Kau.

The estate agent said the developer asked HK$74.8 million for the flat, which was lowered to HK$72.8 million after negotiation, and after a cash rebate the final price was HK$60,606,000.

The estate agent also testified that the cheque for the HK$3.74 million deposit was drawn on Abby Choi's account, but that he did not know who provided the funds for the deposit.

The estate agent did not finish giving evidence on day 19, and the hearing continued the next day (day 20).

Case background

The case number is HCCC 198/2025. The three defendants, Anthony Kwong Kong-kit, Kwong Kau and Alex Kwong Kong-chi, are charged with murdering Abby Choi on 21 February 2023, and with preventing the lawful burial of her body between 21 and 23 February 2023.

The jury trial is continuing. Until a verdict is reached, the three defendants are presumed innocent in law.

News reporting only. Not investment advice.