Photo: CFP

Two defendants involved in the case of a boy being injured to death by martial arts coaches were sentenced to life in prison, while a third one was placed on probation, the Qingdao Intermediate People’s Court announced the first-instance verdict on Thursday.

Defendants Zhang Xianbin and Li Haiding were sentenced to life in prison for intentional injury, with deprivation of political rights for life. Another defendant Zhang Jiahao was sentenced to three years in prison with a five-year probation period for intentional injury. They are all prohibited from working in close contact with minors, the court said.

The victim surnamed Zhai, who was born in 2014, enrolled in the marital art club operated by Zhang Xianbin for training on June 10, 2023. About a week later, during a teaching session at the club, Zhang, together with the other two defendants, physically assaulted and bound Zhai for not performing training exercises correctly. 

Zhai was later found unconscious and was transferred to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The forensic examination revealed that the boy died from multiple blunt force injuries causing extensive soft tissue contusions leading to traumatic shock and pulmonary fat embolism. 

Zhang, the club owner, called the police at around 2 pm on the same day and was taken to the police station for questioning. The three  individuals confessed to the crime, according to the court.

Defendants Zhang Xianbin and Li Haiding used violence to beat the boy during training, resulting in his death. Their actions constitute the crime of intentional injury, as they repeatedly beat and bound an underage student for a long period of time. The criminal circumstances are serious, the methods are cruel, and the consequences are severe, posing a significant harm to the society. And on this basis, they should be severely punished under the law, the court noted in its decision.

Another defendant Zhang Jiahao, the club owner’s son, also participated in the crime and should be punished accordingly, according to the court.

Defendants Zhang and Li expressed their dissatisfaction with the verdict and filed appeals, while the junior Zhang did not appeal. The relatives of the victim said that they are not satisfied with the verdict and will also apply for appeal, according to The Paper.

In China, the legal system consists of two levels of trial, with the second instance serving as the ultimate judgment.

Global Times