Much reduced sentence reflects verdict of 'jury' of public opinion

THE SHANDONG HIGH PEOPLE'S COURT commuted the life sentence of Yu Huan, a 22-year-old man, who stabbed and killed a debt collector who was threatening his mother after she failed to repay a loan, to five years in prison. Beijing News commented on Saturday:

The reduced sentence - from life imprisonment to five years in prison - came after Yu appealed on the grounds that he acted in self-defense. While still convicted of the crime of which the court of the first instance found him guilty, his punishment has been cut, significantly and justifiably.

The original sentence of life imprisonment triggered a public outcry, with some arguing the punishment was too heavy while others blamed the police on site for failing to keep things under control.