2 sentenced to life in prison, 1 placed on probation for causing boy's death during martial arts training

Photo: PCP

Two defendants involved in the case of a boy fatally injured by martial arts trainers were sentenced to life in prison, while a third was placed on probation, the Qingdao Intermediate People's Court announced Thursday .

The defendants Zhang Xianbin and Li Haiding were sentenced to life in prison for intentional wounding, with lifelong deprivation of political rights. Another defendant, Zhang Jiahao, was sentenced to three years in prison with five years' probation for intentional wounding. They are all prohibited from working in close contact with minors, the court said.

The victim, surnamed Zhai, born in 2014, signed up for the marriage art club managed by Zhang Xianbin for training on June 10, 2023. About a week later, during a teaching session at the club , Zhang, with the other two defendants. , physically assaulted and tied up Zhai for not performing training exercises correctly.

Zhai was later found unconscious and taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Forensic examination revealed that the boy died from multiple blunt force injuries causing extensive soft tissue contusions leading to traumatic shock and pulmonary fat embolism.

Zhang, the club owner, called the police around 2 p.m. the same day and was taken to the police station for questioning. The three individuals confessed to the facts, according to the court.

Defendants Zhang Xianbin and Li Haiding used violence to beat the boy during training, resulting in his death. Their actions constitute the crime of intentional injury, as they repeatedly beat and tied up a minor student for an extended period of time. The criminal circumstances are serious, the methods are cruel, and the consequences are serious, causing significant harm to society. And on this basis, they should be severely punished by law, the court noted in its decision.

Another defendant, Zhang Jiahao, the club owner's son, also participated in the crime and should be punished accordingly, the court said.

Defendants Zhang and Li expressed dissatisfaction with the verdict and appealed, while young Zhang did not appeal. The victim's relatives said they were unhappy with the verdict and would also appeal, according to The Paper.

In China, the legal system includes two levels of trial, with the second level serving as the final judgment.

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