three leaders of a crime gang in southern China were sentenced to death

three leaders of a crime gang in southern China were sentenced to death after being convicted of a 11-year spree that included murder, kidnapping and using weapons and explosives. Luo Rensheng, Lin Fensheng and Lai Zhiyuan were sentenced to death by the intermediate court of Huizhou in southern Guangdong province, the Guangzhou Daily reported. Fifteen other gang members were also convicted and sentenced to terms ranging from three years to life for crimes that began in 1992. Luo was arrested in 2003 after police began an investigation into gambling and prostitution at a hotel where he was a shareholder. He was also allegedly involved in the shooting of a man in 2003 in retaliation for the police investigation and ordered the beating death of a beauty salon manager in 1993.