Deng's deadly fruit knife carves open legal debate
- Source: Global Times
- [22:38 June 15 2009]
- Comments
By Yin Hang
Deng Yujiao before and after the murder (left to right).
Arguably the most talked-about court case on the Chinese mainland this year was scheduled to begin at 8:30 this morning in Hubei Province, central China.
Badong County citizen Deng Yujiao will answer to the Badong People’s Court for the crime of “intentional injury” – and not murder – after stabbing an official to death in a pool May 10.
Deng had refused to join officials in a bath and the two men allegedly pushed, shoved and verbally abused her, according to police. After stabbing 44-year-old Badong business promotion official Deng Guida (not related) four times with a fruit knife, she dialed 110 at 8.15 pm and surrendered herself to police.
The new charge contrasted with the original charge of murder. As rumors about the facts of the case started emerging online, they triggered a sudden and passionate outpouring of public support for the 21-year-old waitress, in the form of articles, comments and even poems.
Leading the high-profile lawyer group investigating Deng’s case, Pu Zhiqiang said they had enjoyed popular support from almost all sections of society and he believed this support critical to the unprecedented transparency in this case’s investigation and trial process.
“We have tried what we can do to prevent the truth of this case from being hidden,” said Pu. “The judicial independence we’re talking here should really be based on the principle of information disclosure.
“The people have the right to know the truth of the case. If the judicial authority had not guaranteed a transparent evidence and investigation disclosure system, then they simply have no right to complain about outside interference.”
Referring to the Chinese legal system, Pu said he and his colleagues believe popular participation and discussion had improved both the investigation and the chances of delivering a just trial.
“Public support and attention enabled her to try to fight for her rights,” said Pu. “We hope she can finally have her say in court.”