China, 1990s: A 21-year-old daughter married a 70-year-old man. Hua (all names in the article are aliases) from Jiangxi asked his nephew to find some help, planning to have his son-in-law killed. On August 25, a reporter learned from the China Judgments Online that one of the helpers found by Hua’s nephew was recently sentenced to life imprisonment for intentional homicide.
This verdict has brought a 30-year-old homicide case back into the public eye.
According to comprehensive Chinese media reports, the court investigation revealed that in December 1994, Hua’s daughter, Xiao Mei (born April 5, 1973), registered her marriage with the victim Lao Wang (born January 5, 1924). Hua was strongly dissatisfied after learning of the marriage.
On the morning of April 7, 1995, Hua encountered his nephew, Ah Hao (who had previously been convicted in this case), and told him about his opposition to his daughter marrying Lao Wang, and that Lao Wang refused to divorce his daughter. Hua was willing to pay 10,000 yuan, and asked Ah Hao to find someone to kill Lao Wang. Ah Hao agreed after hearing this.
Afterwards, Ah Hao gathered three others including Ah Kai to commit the crime together. On the afternoon of April 9 of the same year, Ah Hao and the others brought knives and waited near Lao Wang’s residence. Once Ah Hao recognized Lao Wang, the four began to follow him but lost track. At around 8 pm that evening, all four returned to Lao Wang’s home, saw that the door was not closed, and rushed in one by one, attacking Lao Wang with knives. Lao Wang shouted for help and ran into an unlit room. The four chased after him and, after Ah Hao knocked Lao Wang to the ground, they continued stabbing Lao Wang, causing his death at the scene.
Ah Kai Caught Nearly 30 Years After Fleeing
After the homicide, Ah Kai, aware of the gravity of his crime, quickly changed his name and, gripped by fear, wandered from place to place, eventually hiding in Dongguan City, Guangdong Province. Thus, he hid for nearly thirty years. He was finally apprehended on October 20, 2023.
Hua’s statement showed he disagreed with the marriage, felt ashamed that his daughter had married such an old man, and could not hold his head up.
The court held that Ah Kai, under the instigation of Ah Hao, conspired with Ah Hao and others to kill someone with knives, resulting in one death. His action constituted intentional homicide and should be punished according to law. As an accomplice, Ah Kai should be punished less severely in accordance with the law. At the first trial, Ah Kai was sentenced to life imprisonment. After Ah Kai’s appeal, the second instance court upheld the original verdict.
Internet Users: The Old Man Must Have Had Something Attractive to the Girl
Regarding this case, one netizen, 'Wings of Happiness', analyzed from a practical perspective: 'The old man must have had something that attracted the girl, otherwise 21-year-old Xiao Mei wouldn't have made such a decision. For example, given the background of the 1990s, if the old man had good financial conditions and, being in his old age, if the marriage could truly be happy, the girl might indeed be spared many years of struggle in the latter half of her life. We shouldn't dismiss her choice just because of the age gap; after all, everyone's considerations for marriage are different.'
This comment resonated with many netizens. Some added that marriage autonomy is a right granted by law, and outsiders may not fully understand the situation of those involved. One should not judge a marriage solely based on age.