Anhui Provincial Higher People's Court upheld the death sentence yesterday of a man convicted of slaying a family of four at a studio in the province in July.

Hefei Intermediate People's Court in Anhui found Zhu Yunyu, 26, guilty of stabbing to death a painter, who was identified as Huo, his wife, daughter and his nephew on July 10. Zhu was also ordered to pay 1.16 million yuan (US$170,000) compensation, Beijing-based Procuratorate Daily reported.

The court of first instance said Zhu had plotted revenge against Huo because he believed the painter had sexually abused his ex-girlfriend, the report said.

Previous media reports said Huo once taught Zhu's ex-girlfriend but the court did not state their relationship.

Zhu found the address of Huo's studio on the Internet on July 9 and booked a room at a hotel with a fake name in Hefei that night. He purchased a knife earlier that day, the court said.

He visited Huo's studio the next day. Huo's wife allowed him in when Huo was out for business, the report said.

Zhu stabbed the four when Huo returned at about 11:40am. Zhu also cut their throats, the report said.

Police caught Zhu at the studio, according to the report.

Zhu was charged with murder on August 5.

(Shanghai Daily September 15, 2009)