A former Fudan University student, who poisoned his roommate in April 2013, was sentenced to death by the Shanghai No.2 Intermediate People's Court, city media reported.

Medical student Lin Senhao, 27, from Shantou, Guangdong Province, was found guilty of the intentional homicide of his roommate Huang Yang, also a postgraduate medical student. Lin laced a water dispenser that they both shared with a chemical highly toxic to the liver. He took the chemical from a lab at Zhongshan Hospital, where he worked as an intern. Huang died on April 16 of liver, kidney and lung failure after drinking the poisoned water on April 1. Lin initially told the court he only intended the poisoning to be an April Fools' Day prank but the court said that this defence did not hold up as Lin was familiar with the chemical as he had done experiments with it on mice and had published several papers on its effects.

What do Shanghai expats think about the case and the murder? What do they think about the penalty? Do they think the punishment fits the crime?

Sarah Davidson, from Canada, financial advisor

"Obviously it is a terrible tragedy for everyone involved in this case. Lin ruined his victim's and the victim's family's lives as well as his own life. Both of them could have had successful medical careers but over silly little disagreements, their lives are now over.

I believe the punishment is fit for the crime. Lin committed intentional homicide over trivial arguments. The method he used was ruthless. The crime is extremely serious. I am not surprised that Huang's father was calling for the death penalty for his son's murderer.

I think this case also calls for more psychological assistance for Chinese university students to prevent similar tragedies happening in the future."

Nicolas Sitbon, from France, intern

"The worst part of this terrible story is that Huang was killed over a trivial matter and this is going to haunt his parents as long as they are alive. It's such a horrible story and I have been following in the press since it began. I was even more involved in this case as I am a recent Fudan University graduate and to think that something like this happened on my campus makes me shiver.

I think this is a good time for the university authorities to think about psychological support for the students. Lin's case is not an exception. I remember reading about similar incidents in the past. Maybe it's time to think about how much pressure the students are under and how unhealthy the competition between the students is.

As for the punishment, I am against death penalty. I believe a harsher penalty for Lin would be spending the rest of his life in prison."

Oliver Wadsworth, from the US, teacher

"I am glad for Huang's parents that this is finally over. This is a horrible tragedy. I believe the punishment is just right. I don't believe it was an April FooIs' joke. How could poisoning someone possibly be funny? I can't believe that after Huang got sick and was lying on his death bed, Lin behaved as if nothing had happened and didn't tell doctors or the parents the source of Huang's sickness. He only admitted to the poisoning after he was reported by fellow students. He could have saved his life if he confessed to his crime earlier and Huang could be still alive today. It is unbelievable how stupid little arguments can ruin people's lives.

I also believe that Fudan University should be held liable for Huang's death as Lin stole the chemicals from a lab at Zhongshan Hospital, which is affiliated to Fudan University. This definitely calls for stricter regulations of dangerous chemicals at the university. How is it possible that this poisonous chemical ended up in Lin's hands so easily? And how is it possible that intelligent people like Lin are capable of killing another person over silly arguments? It shows how important emotional support can be especially for Chinese students who, it seems, are constantly competing with each other and are under extreme pressure to succeed."