CHINA. MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR MURDER OF SEVEN NIGHTCLUB DANCERS

a former manager of an elevator factory was sentenced to death for murdering and dismembering seven women he paid to dance with in nightclubs in the northeastern city of Shenyang. The verdict was passed by the Intermediate People's Court of Shenyang, capital of China’s Province. Liu Xuexin, 56, murdered his victims, all aged between 31 and 51, between March 22, 2005 and October 31, 2005, the court heard. The women had all been working in bars. Liu danced with the women and took them home after gaining their trust. Liu killed the women in his bathroom, dismembered their bodies and dumped the limbs in different places, the court ruled. Liu was arrested at his home on November 3, 2005 and charged on December 8. The court also ruled that Liu should pay over 1.1 million yuan in damages (about 141,000 US dollars) to the victims' families.