HONG KONG: The question of whether Nina Wang was mentally competent to sign a 2006 document bequeathing fung shui practitioner Tony Chan her entire fortune was on the table again in the Court of First Instance yesterday.

On the 35th day of the probate trial, two specialists in respiratory medicine gave opposing opinions on Wang's mental condition around October 16, 2006. That was the date she signed a document which Chan claims makes him Wang's sole heir.

Roland Leung, testifying for Chinachem, said that a rapid, precipitated fall in Wang's hemoglobin levels could have resulted in an altered mental state.

He characterized Wang's mental state in mid October 2006 as "sub-optimal". He said a significant drop in Wang's hemoglobin levels between October 9 and October 18, from 10.4 g per deciliter to 7.6 g, reflected a deterioration in her health condition.

He said that the decreased hemoglobin levels would affect the oxygenation of her brain.

Duncan Geddes, testifying on behalf of Chan, maintained that Wang's reduced oxygen content was not enough to affect her mental function.

He said Wang had low hemoglobin levels beginning in July 2006, thus there had been plenty of time between July and the signing of the 2006 document for her body to compensate.

Geddes explained that a body compensates for sudden falls in oxygen levels by increasing its heart rate. He said Wang's heart rate had climbed to 119 on October 16 to compensate for her anemia. Her blood pressure was normal, he said.

(HK Edition 07/08/2009 page1)