A court in China has handed down sentences to two teenagers in connection with the death of their classmate that occurred in March.
In Hebei province, two teenagers, known only by their surnames Zhang and Li, were just 13 years old when they plotted to murder their classmate, Wang, intending to divide his money between themselves.
A court statement released on Monday revealed that after assaulting Wang with a shovel, the perpetrators buried him in an abandoned vegetable greenhouse. The court characterized their actions as “especially cruel” and the circumstances as “especially vile.”
Two teenagers received sentences of life imprisonment and 12 years imprisonment, respectively.
The sentencing concludes the harrowing case that ignited widespread public outrage upon its initial revelation.
According to Wang’s family and lawyer, he had been subjected to bullying by three classmates for an extended period. The court’s remarks on Monday highlighted that he had also encountered conflicts with Zhang and Li.
The court has stated that a third teenager present at the scene, identified by the surname Ma, will not face any criminal penalties.
On March 3, Zhang transported Wang to the greenhouse via scooter while Li rode alongside Ma on a different scooter. During their conversation, Li revealed to Ma the scheme that Zhang had devised to eliminate Wang.
Upon their arrival at the greenhouse, Zhang began to attack Wang with a shovel while Li assisted in the assault. After observing the assault, Ma exited the greenhouse.
Zhang and Li subsequently interred the victim, after which the trio departed the location on horseback.
Subsequently, Zhang accessed Wang’s phone to facilitate a money transfer from his WeChat account to both Lee and himself. He removed the SIM card from Wang’s phone and instructed Ma to dispose of it.
Authorities contacted Zhang, Li, and Ma, with Ma ultimately guiding them to the location of the crime.
The court determined that Zhang was the primary instigator, having orchestrated the crime and encouraged others to participate, with his actions directly leading to Wang’s death.
The court stated that Li was a colluder who actively engaged in the act and shared the proceeds with Zhang.
Officials announced that Ma is set to receive correction and education, a strategy typically employed for minors involved in criminal activities.
The sentencing of the teenagers on Monday received widespread approval from social media users who had been eagerly anticipating the outcome of the punishment for the horrific crime. However, there were suggestions that the sentencing may have been overly lenient.
Upon his release, the individual who received a 12-year sentence will still be in the prime of his youth. A widely shared comment on Weibo expresses concern: “Hope he doesn’t take revenge on society when he is out,” in light of a recent series of mass killings that have instilled fear nationwide.
Wang’s death has prompted an outpouring of grief from many. “I truly empathize with the child,” remarked a different user on Weibo. “This situation is truly heart-wrenching.”
