China clears murderer after 'victim' shows up alive

**dirtydog** · 10-05-2010, 03:55 PM

China clears murderer after 'victim' shows up alive

A Chinese man who spent almost 10 years in jail for murder has been freed after his supposed victim was found alive.

Zhao Zuohai had a fight with his neighbour, who then disappeared, and was charged when a headless, decomposed body was found 18 months later.

The miscarriage of justice came to light when the neighbour, Zhao Zhenshang, returned to his village in Henan province to seek welfare support.

He had fled after their fight because he feared he had killed Zhao Zuohai.

Mr Zhao's conviction for murder was reportedly based mainly on a confession.

His brother said police had forced him to drink chilli-tainted water and set off fireworks above his head in order to make him confess.

Correspondents say convictions in the Chinese court system are strongly dependent on confessions, motivating police to use force to get one.

Henan Provincial Higher People's Court has ordered an investigation into the case and the original judges will be punished.

Mr Zhao was initially sentenced to death for the crime, but the sentenced was commuted to 29 years in prison.

While he was in jail, his wife remarried and several of his children were adopted.

BBC News - China clears murderer after 'victim' shows up alive

**good2bhappy** · 10-05-2010, 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by dirtydog

Mr Zhao was initially sentenced to death for the crime, but the sentenced was commuted to 29 years in prison.

lucky

**billy the kid** · 11-05-2010, 06:00 AM

wonder if he will meet up with the guy and shake hands. or kiss his feet. he will probably need some of that welfare support or will he be compensated .

**WujouMao** · 11-05-2010, 07:04 AM

i read this this morning before work.

this bit was the most depressing

While he was in jail, his wife remarried and several of his children were adopted.

how pissed off he must feel now.. poor bastard

**panama hat** · 11-05-2010, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by WujouMao

i read this this morning before work.

this bit was the most depressing

While he was in jail, his wife remarried and several of his children were adopted.

how pissed off he must feel now.. poor bastard

Yes, that part caught me eye as well . . . Very, very sad

I wonder what the TD reaction would be if the guy was from a western country

**Travelmate** · 11-05-2010, 09:48 AM

Originally Posted by WujouMao

i read this this morning before work.

this bit was the most depressing

While he was in jail, his wife remarried and several of his children were adopted.

how pissed off he must feel now.. poor bastard

Poor fella indeed.

**kingwilly** · 11-05-2010, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by dirtydog

Mr Zhao was initially sentenced to death for the crime, but the sentenced was commuted to 29 years in prison.

That's lucky.

Originally Posted by dirtydog

Zhao Zuohai had a fight with his neighbour, who then disappeared, and was charged when a headless, decomposed body was found 18 months later.

The miscarriage of justice came to light when the neighbour, Zhao Zhenshang, returned to his village in Henan province to seek welfare support.

He had fled after their fight because he feared he had killed Zhao Zuohai.

I'm confused, they must have had a fight, the neighbour who ran thought he'd killed the one who went to jail ?

Is that it?

**Shrek** · 11-05-2010, 10:30 AM

A sad story, not only was he wrongly convicted he also lost his wife and some of his children.

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