CHINA: MAN GETS DEATH PENALTY FOR TORTURING EX-GIRLFRIEND

a man from northwest China's Shaanxi Province was sentenced to death with a two year reprieve and deprived of his political rights for life for torturing and attempting to murder his ex-girlfriend.
The Shaanxi Provincial Higher People's Court heard that Cai Chao, from Ankang City, kidnapped, burnt and stabbed his colleague Jingjing (pseudonym) when she ended their relationship. He was found guilty of attempted murder and sentenced to death without a reprieve in a first-instance trial held by the Intermediate People's Court of Ankang City in January, 2007.
Both sides appealed the case to Shaanxi Provincial Higher People's Court. The higher court said Cai was guilty of attempted murder and should be punished accordingly. However it ruled that Cai had shown remorse for his actions and Cai's relatives had also compensated Jingjing with 120,000 yuan (about US$15,000). The higher court concluded last week that leniency should be shown and the verdict against Cai changed in the final ruling to a death sentence with a two-year reprieve.