Photo: VCG

The Beijing No. 2 Intermediate People's Court on Monday opened the trial of Guo Wensi, a man who had been sentenced to life imprisonment for intentional homicide. Earlier, the Beijing High People's Court revoked the nine commutation rulings of Guo in the case he used unfair means to get a reduced sentence, resuming his original sentence of life imprisonment and suspension of his political rights. 

The relevant personnel involved in this sentence commutation incident are suspected of bribery and other misconduct such as giving commutations in exchange for their personal interest, and will also be put on trial.

On March 14 this year, Guo attacked a 72-year-old retired electrician surnamed Duan and caused his death only because the old man reminded him to put on a mask, which provoked his displeasure. The incident provoked outcry among netizens, public opinion strongly demands that Guo be severely punished for his intentional injury.

Angry netizens found out that Guo was sentenced to life in prison in 2004 for intentional homicide, killing his girlfriend by strangling her with a pillow at a hotel. But his sentence was commuted nine times for his "positive reform," basically once a year, each time for at least six months. And he was released in July 2019, after serving less than 15 years.

According to local media, Guo Wanpu, father of Guo Wensi, a retired worker of China Institute of Atomic Energy, had illegally solicited staff in the prison system, the procuratorate, and the court, offering money and goods, asking them to take care of Guo Wensi in prison and offering to help his son reduce sentence. 

The Beijing Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection has transferred Guo Wanpu and other 13 officials and key associates involved in Guo's commutations for legal examination and prosecution in accordance with Chinese Administrative Supervision Law.

Global Times