CHINA: MAN EXECUTED IN BEIJING FOR MURDER

the leader of a three-member gang was executed for robbery and murder in Beijing, China. The death sentence for Li Jiangtao, 27, of Siping County, Henan Province, was approved by the Supreme People's Court, said Beijing No. 1 Intermediate People's Court. On August 12, 2006, Li, Zhang Lei and Hu Zhiqiang stole an unlicensed cab and strangled the driver, leaving his body in a well. The next day they went to 63-year-old Cai Yun's house, strangled him and stole goods worth 6,000 yuan (about US$882). For the crimes, the Beijing No. 1 Intermediate People's Court sentenced Li to death on December 11, 2007.