Teen-Ager’s Mother Decries Flogging
The mother of American teen-ager Michael P. Fay on Friday denounced the caning of her son a day earlier as torture after a briefing by a U.S. consular officer who was allowed to visit him in prison.
“I can only say that I am extremely disturbed. I’m extremely upset,” said Randy Chan, 46. “This was torture.”
Fay, 18, of Dayton, Ohio, received four lashes with a thin rattan cane Thursday afternoon as part of a sentence for spray-painting cars and other offenses allegedly committed in October.
Fay reportedly was “hurt” by the caning but nevertheless appeared to be in relatively good spirits Friday. He was able to sleep Thursday night and to walk normally and sit down Friday when talking to the consular officer.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
