A Chinese court has sentenced two teenagers in Hebei province for their involvement in the death of their classmate in March, a case that shocked the public with its brutality.
The teenagers, identified only by their surnames Zhang and Li, were 13 years old at the time of the crime. They conspired to kill their classmate, Wang, and divide his money.
Using a shovel, they attacked Wang and buried him in an abandoned vegetable greenhouse, the court revealed in a statement on Monday, describing their actions as “especially cruel” and “vile.”
Zhang received a life sentence, while Li was sentenced to 12 years in prison. The verdict brings closure to a case that sparked widespread outrage when it came to light.
Wang had reportedly endured prolonged bullying from three classmates, according to his family and lawyer. The court acknowledged a history of conflict between Wang and the perpetrators, Zhang and Li.
A third teenager, identified by his surname Ma, who was present at the scene, was not criminally punished, the court said.
On March 3, Zhang lured Wang to the greenhouse on a scooter, while Li and Ma followed on another. Along the way, Li informed Ma of the plan Zhang had devised to kill Wang.
Upon reaching the greenhouse, Zhang attacked Wang with a shovel, with Li assisting. Ma, witnessing the violence, fled the scene.
Zhang and Li then buried Wang and left, taking his phone to transfer money from his WeChat account to themselves. Zhang removed the phone’s SIM card and instructed Ma to destroy it.
Police apprehended all three teenagers, with Ma eventually leading them to the burial site.
The court identified Zhang as the mastermind, noting his role in planning and instigating the crime, which directly caused Wang’s death. Li was deemed an accomplice who actively participated and shared the stolen money.
While Zhang and Li face lengthy prison terms, Ma was ordered to undergo correction and education, a standard measure for minors involved in criminal activity.
The teens’ sentencing on Monday was lauded by social media users who had been waiting to hear about the gruesome crime’s punishment. But some suggested that the sentencing was too lenient.
“The one that only got 12 years will be a young man when he is released. Hope he doesn’t take revenge on society when he is out,” reads a popular comment on Weibo, referring to a recent spate of mass killings that have struck fear across the country.
Others mourned Wang’s death. “As a parent, I really feel sorry for the kid,” said another Weibo user. “It’s really heart-breaking.”