A Chinese couple, Zhang Bo and Ye Chengchen, has been executed for the premeditated murder of Zhang's two children from a previous marriage.
In November 2020, a tragic incident took place in Chongqing, southwest China. Two young children, aged two and one, were tragically thrown from the 15th floor of a residential tower, as per New York Post.
Zhang, the father of the victims, had initiated an affair with Ye, who was initially unaware of Zhang's marital status and children. The Chongqing No. 5 Intermediate People's Court revealed that Ye, considering the children as obstacles to their future together, persuaded Zhang to carry out the heinous act. This shocking crime, marked by its cold-blooded nature, drew widespread attention and condemnation.
The couple's execution took place by lethal injection after China's top court approved their death sentence. The exact details of their execution were not specified, but lethal injection is the common method employed in China. The sentencing occurred in December 2021, and the execution transpired recently, according to China Daily.
Zhang, attempting to deceive investigators and onlookers, feigned grief after the incident, banging his head on the wall and crying uncontrollably. He falsely claimed that he was asleep when the children fell and was awakened by the commotion. However, prosecutors argued that his actions were a sham, capturing the tragic moment on video.
Chen Meilin, the children's mother and Zhang's ex-wife, revealed that Zhang killed their children after Ye slit her wrists during a video call. The chilling revelation added a layer of horror to an already distressing case. Chen expressed her shock and anguish, unable to fathom the desperation and fear her children might have experienced during their fall, according to Daily Mail.
China Executions Spark Online Debate
The ex-wife also disclosed that Zhang and Ye had conspired to eliminate the children, aiming to start a new family devoid of ties to Zhang's previous marriage. Both Zhang and Ye were found guilty of plotting to stage an accidental fall to end the lives of Zhang's daughter and son.
The execution of the couple stirred discussions on Chinese social media platform Weibo, with nearly 200 million views. Public sentiments varied, with some expressing relief that justice had been served, while others highlighted the severity of the punishment fitting the crime.
In a separate high-profile execution on the same day, Wu Xieyu was executed for the 2015 murder of his mother by repeatedly striking her with a dumbbell, according to a court statement in eastern Fujian province. China, known for its secretive use of the death penalty, faces global scrutiny, with estimates from rights group Amnesty International suggesting the country leads in executions worldwide.
Zhang Bo, Ye Chengchen, and Wu Xieyu's executions show the seriousness of their crimes and have sparked a public discussion on the death penalty's application and the need for justice in situations involving severe violence, Barrows reported.
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