Man waits 18 years for trial, is acquitted

Zhang Yuxi, a resident of Xiayi county, Henan province, was acquitted of a charge of intentional injury by a local court on Tuesday after being released 18 years ago on bail pending trial.

Zhang was involved in a dispute in 1992 with another resident, Zhang Gongshe, which led to violent scuffles between members of the two families. Zhang Gongshe's father, Zhang Chaoming, was rendered unconscious during the fight and died.

Zhang Yuxi was later detained and prosecuted on a charge of intentional injury in 1997. According to the indictment by the local prosecutor, Zhang Yuxi hit Zhang Chaoming's forehead with an iron rake, causing the older man to fall into a coma and later die.