FILIPINO WOMAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR KILLING TAIWANESE WOMAN FOR CASH

a Taiwan prosecutor sentenced a Filipino woman to death for killing a Taiwanese woman for money. Prosecutor Chung Chung-hsiao issued the sentence on Armia Menecia Panaglima, 38, for killing Chiu Mei-yun, 48, in the southern Taiwan city of Kaohsiung on September 12. Armia's US boyfriend, David Filion, was acquitted of involvement in the murder for lack of evidence, Chung said. Armia used to work at a Kaohsiung bar, but was desperately in need of money after she was fired by the owner. On September 12, she invited Chiu, a broker for foreign teachers to Armia's rented apartment. Armia sought to borrow money from Chiu who refused to lend her money resulting in a heated row. Armia then tied a nylon rope around Chiu's neck and stabbed her with a knife. Armia dumped Chiu's body in a dark alley the same night and withdrew 130,000 Taiwan dollars ($US4,000) with the victim's ATM card. Police arrested Armia and David, but acquitted the pair after Armia admitted to killing Chiu by herself.