China To Criminally Try Three Minors For Child Murder

A provincial prosecutor announced on Monday that China will try three juveniles for the alleged murder of another child. The story has stunned the country and spurred discussion over how juvenile offenders should be treated.

Before killing him last month, the three suspects—all of whom were under 14 at the time of the murder—are suspected of harassing Wang, a middle school classmate, for a considerable amount of time.

The case’s graphic details—that Wang’s body was allegedly hidden by the murderers in an abandoned greenhouse—called attention to the way the legal system handles minors charged with violent crimes.

China reduced the age of criminal liability from 14 to 12 in 2021 for “special cases” including causing death by “extremely cruel means.”

One of the earliest cases to implement the lower age limit is believed to have been Hebei.

The Zhang, Li, and Ma suspects’ surnames were requested by the police to be tried as felons, and the provincial prosecutor confirmed this on Monday.

The three “intentionally committed murder, causing the death of the victim Wang,” the report stated, having come to that conclusion when they were between the ages of 12 and 14.

Also Read: Chinese Man And His Mistress Executed For Killing His Children

The provincial office stated that the judgment had been examined by the nation’s top public prosecutor and that “the circumstances were serious and they should be held criminally responsible.”

“While handling cases strictly in accordance with the law, the procuratorial organs will… further strengthen the prevention and treatment of juvenile crimes,” the provincial prosecutor continued.

Murder is illegal in China and carries a prison sentence or death sentence.