Repair damaged credibility

WE CAN IMAGINE THE PRESSURE GATHERING upon the judges of the second-instance court deliberating the dispute over an alleged traffic accident in Tianjin municipality.

Along with several other cases, where the accused are without exception individuals who claim to have extended a helping hand to an elderly lying on the street, this one will have an enormous impact on the current discussion over whether or not we should offer help in similar scenarios.

The first-instance court's decision that the accused pay almost 110,000 yuan ($17,200) in damages has sent a chilling message that we should not assist others, unless we are willing to risk being framed. And evidence abounds that there are plenty of blackmailers waiting to take advantage of our sympathy.