Fudan University lecturer sentenced to death for killing colleague

Jiang Wenhua, a lecturer at Fudan University, was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve on Feb 1, for murdering a colleague.

Shanghai No 2 Intermediate People's Court, which heard the case last May, delivered the verdict in the intentional homicide case of Jiang.

The court found that Jiang, during his tenure as a young researcher at the School of Mathematical Sciences of Fudan University, harbored resentment toward the school's Party secretary surnamed Wang, due to professional frustrations. On Jun 7, 2021, Jiang, then 39, entered Wang's office with a knife and inflicted multiple stabs on the 49-year-old that resulted in Wang's death.

Jiang was found guilty of intentional homicide. Citing sufficient evidence of premeditation, extreme brutality, and severe impacts on society, the court warranted a death penalty and permanently stripped Jiang of political rights. However, considering that Jiang claimed diminished responsibility from recurrent depression and surrendered himself, the court rendered a two-year reprieve.

More than 20 individuals, including public officials and family members of the parties concerned, were present at the public hearing.

Fu Yiwen contributed to this story.