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Wu Ying gets death penalty with reprieve
Source:Globaltimes.cn Published: 2012-5-22 15:38:00
File photo: Wu Ying, the businesswoman sentenced to death for cheating investors out of 380 million yuan ($60 million), bursts into tears after hearing the Higher People's Court of Zhejiang uphold her death sentence in January, 2012. Photo: CFP
The Higher People's Court (HPC) in East China's Zhejiang Province Monday handed businesswoman Wu Ying a death penalty with a two-year reprieve for fundraising fraud after retrial.
The court also ordered that all Wu's personal property be confiscated, and stripped her of political rights for life in the final judgment.
This is after the Supreme People's Court decided to override the judgment of the Zhejiang HPC and send the case back for re-sentencing on April 20 after reviewing the death penalty upheld by the provincial court on January 18.
Since Wu's case came to the public's attention, it has prompted more public discussion about the flaws in the country's financial system. Many held that Wu would not have committed her crimes if a fully developed financial system had been in place.
The lengthy court trial for this case has also exposed China's perplexing attitude toward the death penalty.
Media comments
Celebrity voices
"Wu Ying's case should be retried at a new jurisdiction so that the judges who have handled the case won't get involved and justice can be better served."
Mao Yushi, a renowned economist, on the Supreme People's Court of the PRC suspending the death sentence for Wu Ying, who was charged with illegal fundraising, published on his microblog on April 26.
According to the China News Agency, Wu Ying has more than 40 luxury cars, including a Ferrari, and many villas. This girl's view on wealth is obviously not right. But even so, I still think the death penalty for her is not appropriate. If a person hasn't committed murder, then that person, along with Wu Ying, corrupt officials and all Chinese people, should not be sentenced to death. However, the death penalty on intentional homicide should be reserved to give a warning to everyone, including honest people, clean officials, and all Chinese people.
Hu Xijin, Editor-in-Chief of the Global Times, published on his Sina microblog on February 9.
Web users
The Supreme People's Court declared on February 14 that it would carefully review the death sentence of Wu Ying, a Zhejiang businesswoman guilty of illegal fundraising, sparking speculation of a possible retrial.
@Andyzhou1203: Nobody can predict the final result for Wu Ying. But one point I'm sure of is that if Wu Ying is sentenced to death, it will be disrespectful to the public, after all, many senior corrupt officials are still alive. If Wu Ying isn't sentenced to death, it will be disrespectful to the legal system. Above all, Wu Ying's case is a challenge to the government's credibility and its relationship with the public. No matter what the final result is, it will be an improvement anyway.
@sybe121212: Financial experts have pointed out that our country doesn't have a perfect legal and supervisory system in place regarding private financing. We live in an age where private financing is rapidly expanding while supervision remains poor.
Source: Global Times/Xinhua
Illustration: Globaltimes.cn
Supreme court reviewing death sentence in fraud case
The Supreme People's Court (SPC) of China is reviewing the death sentence on a financial fraud case involving Wu Ying, an SPC spokesman said Tuesday.
Premier Wen says to handle ex-tycoon death sentence based on facts
China will handle the legal case involving ex-tycoon Wu Ying based on facts and carefully, said Premier Wen Jiabao at a press conference on Wednesday after the conclusion of the annual session of the National People's Congress.
Top policeman defends decision to sentence businesswoman to death
In response to the public questioning of the death sentence handed to Wu Ying, a businesswoman involved in illegal fundraising, a top police officer said that Wu's crime was a severe offence which can lead to the death penalty.
Judge upholds death sentence for fraud amid public empathy
Zhejiang higher people's court Tuesday defended their sentencing of Wu Ying, founder of the Bense Group, to death for financial fraud earlier this January.
Death penalty in fraud crimes divides public
The death sentence verdict of a female billionaire, who cheated investors out of several hundred million yuan through illicit means of financing, has sparked heated public debate, with observers calling for a relaxation of limits on informal lending by authorities.
| Editor's Note |
The Higher People's Court (HPC) in East China's Zhejiang Province Monday handed businesswoman Wu Ying a death penalty with a two-year reprieve for fundraising fraud after retrial.
The court also ordered that all Wu's personal property be confiscated, and stripped her of political rights for life in the final judgment.
This is after the Supreme People's Court decided to override the judgment of the Zhejiang HPC and send the case back for re-sentencing on April 20 after reviewing the death penalty upheld by the provincial court on January 18.
| Latest News |
| ; |
Wu Ying's father disputes verdict
Judge upholds death sentence for fraud amid public empathy |
| Comments |
Since Wu's case came to the public's attention, it has prompted more public discussion about the flaws in the country's financial system. Many held that Wu would not have committed her crimes if a fully developed financial system had been in place.
The lengthy court trial for this case has also exposed China's perplexing attitude toward the death penalty.
Media comments
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Wu's reprieve is right decision for non-violent crimes It is hoped that the new sentence on Wu Ying is not the legal system's compromise to public opinion, but the beginning of the end of the death penalty for non-violent crimes. Getting rid of the death penalty doesn't mean being immune from punishment. Wu Ying received the toughest punishment for her crimes. This is what she deserves. |
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Wu Ying case underlines need for private financing reform There is no doubt that Wu's deeds caused severe losses for her victims, undermined national financial order and created extremely harmful effects, as the supreme court said in its statement. However, Wu has drawn sympathy from the public, who have criticized a financing system that has made it difficult for small entrepreneurs to get loans from banks. These companies subsequently turn to underground lenders to finance their businesses, creating more problems. |
| More comments: Review worthy move in Wu case Public swayed by new death penalty case |
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Celebrity voices"Wu Ying's case should be retried at a new jurisdiction so that the judges who have handled the case won't get involved and justice can be better served."
Mao Yushi, a renowned economist, on the Supreme People's Court of the PRC suspending the death sentence for Wu Ying, who was charged with illegal fundraising, published on his microblog on April 26.
According to the China News Agency, Wu Ying has more than 40 luxury cars, including a Ferrari, and many villas. This girl's view on wealth is obviously not right. But even so, I still think the death penalty for her is not appropriate. If a person hasn't committed murder, then that person, along with Wu Ying, corrupt officials and all Chinese people, should not be sentenced to death. However, the death penalty on intentional homicide should be reserved to give a warning to everyone, including honest people, clean officials, and all Chinese people.
Hu Xijin, Editor-in-Chief of the Global Times, published on his Sina microblog on February 9.
Web usersThe Supreme People's Court declared on February 14 that it would carefully review the death sentence of Wu Ying, a Zhejiang businesswoman guilty of illegal fundraising, sparking speculation of a possible retrial.
@Andyzhou1203: Nobody can predict the final result for Wu Ying. But one point I'm sure of is that if Wu Ying is sentenced to death, it will be disrespectful to the public, after all, many senior corrupt officials are still alive. If Wu Ying isn't sentenced to death, it will be disrespectful to the legal system. Above all, Wu Ying's case is a challenge to the government's credibility and its relationship with the public. No matter what the final result is, it will be an improvement anyway.
@sybe121212: Financial experts have pointed out that our country doesn't have a perfect legal and supervisory system in place regarding private financing. We live in an age where private financing is rapidly expanding while supervision remains poor.
| Wu's Case |
Source: Global Times/Xinhua
Illustration: Globaltimes.cn
| Related Reports |
Supreme court reviewing death sentence in fraud case
The Supreme People's Court (SPC) of China is reviewing the death sentence on a financial fraud case involving Wu Ying, an SPC spokesman said Tuesday.
Premier Wen says to handle ex-tycoon death sentence based on facts
China will handle the legal case involving ex-tycoon Wu Ying based on facts and carefully, said Premier Wen Jiabao at a press conference on Wednesday after the conclusion of the annual session of the National People's Congress.
Top policeman defends decision to sentence businesswoman to death
In response to the public questioning of the death sentence handed to Wu Ying, a businesswoman involved in illegal fundraising, a top police officer said that Wu's crime was a severe offence which can lead to the death penalty.
Judge upholds death sentence for fraud amid public empathy
Zhejiang higher people's court Tuesday defended their sentencing of Wu Ying, founder of the Bense Group, to death for financial fraud earlier this January.
Death penalty in fraud crimes divides public
The death sentence verdict of a female billionaire, who cheated investors out of several hundred million yuan through illicit means of financing, has sparked heated public debate, with observers calling for a relaxation of limits on informal lending by authorities.
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