OPINION> EDITORIALS
Victim and heroine
(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-06-05 07:52

The Supreme People's Court's call for cool-headedness in handling the Deng Yujiao case is a reminder which we hope will be heeded by the local court that is to hear the case. It is of particular significance given the tremendous pressure on the judiciary to deliver a judgment in favor of Deng.

Deng, a female employee at a foot massage parlor of a local hotel in Hubei province, allegedly stabbed to death a thuggish local official and injured another who forced her to provide "special service". After angry outbursts from across the country, the local authorities were compelled to alter the charge against her from the initial "murder" to the current "excessive self-defense", which makes a life-and-death difference in terms of legal consequences.

With the despised officials getting more than what they deserved, and Deng now released from custody and at home under surveillance, the case has proceeded satisfactorily so far under close public scrutiny. For most people, who are fed up with abusive officials, Deng is the innocent victim-heroine.

It is heartening that we are at least talking about the rule of law these days. The thug certainly deserved to be punished, yet probably not killed as he was. Deng was justified in defending herself, but not to the point of taking his life. Just as the Supreme People's Court has reminded the local court, application of the law should not be influenced by personal feelings.

Victim and heroine

We can see the paradoxical position in which the court finds itself: a lenient verdict may appease the indignant public, yet compromise justice in the eyes of the law; a harsh sentence, on the other hand, may further offend the public, widening the ripples and bringing discredit to the judiciary itself. The law aside, most people around us would rather see Deng declared not guilty so that bullies holding public office will think twice before getting nasty with people. Weighing the pros and cons and balancing the demands of law and public expectations may prove to be a severe test for the court.

Yet unless the court wants to have it both ways, it is not at a dead end. The court has the opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to justice. There is no need to please or appease. Instead, the court needs to make people believe that the law is its only touchstone.

A legally sound and reasoned verdict will do more good than anything else. How we wish those judges hearing Deng's case would prove worthy of reasoning. At the end of the hearing, people want to be reassured that the judges have tried their best to deliver justice. Our tolerant public may forgive incompetence, but not injustice.

(China Daily 06/05/2009 page8)