Bogu Kailai sentenced to death with reprieve for intentional homicide

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Bogu Kailai has been given a death sentence with a two-year reprieve for the intentional homicide of British businessman Neil Heywood. Zhang Xiaojun was given a sentence of nine years for his part as an accompliance.

A life behind bars if Bogu Kailai does not commit any other offense in the next two years...

The court says Bogu Kailai escaped the death penalty because she’d acted under the belief that her son was under threat from Heywood, and had provided useful information to the procuratorate during the investigation.

The court also said that due to "psychological impairment", she had not been fully aware of her purpose and the consequences of her actions.

Defendant of Bo-Gu Kailai said, "I think the verdict is just. It reflects a special respect of the law, truth and life".

Bogu Kailai has been given a death sentence with a two-year reprieve for the intentional homicide of British businessman Neil Heywood.

He Zhengsheng, Neil Heywood's family lawyer, said, "We respect the court’s decision."

Zhang Xiaojun, the Bo-Gu Kailai family aide was given a sentence of nine years in prison.

The verdict was announced twenty minutes after the court opened session.

Tang Yigan, Deputy Director of Hefei Intermediate People's Court, said, "Both Bo-Gu Kailai and Zhang Xiaojun said in court that they would not appeal. During the judgement, the defendant Bo-Gu Kailai remained composed."

Bogu Kailai has been given a death sentence with a two-year reprieve for the intentional homicide of British businessman Neil Heywood. Zhang Xiaojun was given a sentence of nine years for his part as an accompliance.

The two defendants carried out the poisoning of Neil Heywood on November 13, 2011.

According to Bogu Kailai’s statement, she and her son had fallen out with Mr Heywood over business interests, and she feared Heywood was threatening her son. Concerned for her son's safety, she decided to kill Heywood.

According to the defendants testimonies, she arranged to meet Heywood at a hotel in Chongqing, where they drank tea and wine. Zhang Xiaojun was also present.

They murdered Heywood in his hotel room by pouring cyanide into his mouth after he’d become drunk, vomited and had requested a drink of water.

In a separate trial, four Chinese policemen were also convicted on Monday for covering up the facts. They’ve received jail sentences of between five and 11 years.