Society

School knife killer's appeal rejected

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-04-20 15:02

FUZHOU -- The appeal trial for the murderer of eight children outside their primary school on March 23 upheld the original verdict of murder and the sentence of capital punishment in east China's Fujian Province.

The trial was held Tuesday morning by the Fujian Provincial Higher People's Court in Nanping City, where the murders were committed.

The defendant, Zheng Minsheng, 41, had admitted "intentionally killing" the children at the gate of the Nanping Experimental Elementary School in the first trial.

Another five children were injured in the attack.

In the first trial, Zheng was sentenced by the Intermediate People's Court of Nanping City to death on April 8. He appealed saying his behavior was the result of his ex-girlfriend defaming him. He appealed for a two-year reprieve on his death sentence.

Zheng's appeal was rejected and original sentence upheld in the second trial.

According to the higher court, the initial verdict was accurate and was handed down on the basis of verified, abundant evidence and according to the correct legal procedures.

Police investigations showed that Zheng carried out the school attacks because he felt frustrated after breaking up with his girlfriend and he found life meaningless.

Zheng had no history of mental disorder, according to police.