The defendant, a former Peking University student, was convicted of murdering his mother in 2015, a case that drew national attention due to its brutality and his academic background. He killed her with a dumbbell, concealed the body using layers and activated charcoal to mask odors, and deceived relatives into believing she was alive, defrauding them of 1.44 million yuan. He remained at large for nearly four years, using fake IDs to evade arrest until his capture in April 2019.
During pre-trial proceedings, lawyers appointed by his family were denied access to him, with state-appointed legal aid taking over. In August 2021, the court sentenced him to death. His appeal included a request for a psychiatric evaluation, citing a family history of mental illness and previous mental health issues, but the court rejected this, ruling he was fully responsible for his actions.
The Fujian High People’s Court upheld the sentence, and the Supreme People’s Court (SPC) confirmed it, stating the murder stemmed from “self-loathing and suicidal ideation.” The SPC allowed minimal time for the defence to prepare mitigation arguments. The defendant was executed on 31 January 2024, without prior notice to his lawyer or relatives, preventing a final visit. His lawyer later sought forgiveness from the victim’s family.
In 2023, the case was named one of the "Top 10 Court Cases of the Year." The Fujian High Court cited it in its annual report, emphasising that those who severely violate legal and moral norms should face the death penalty.