Wu Huizhong, an ex-convict from Hefei, capital of east China's Anhui Province, has been sentenced to death for killing his mistress, according to local sources. In the ruling handed down by the Intermediate People's Court of Hefei in a first-instance trial held on Tuesday, Wu, 34, was also deprived of his political rights for life.

 

The court was told that Wu first met his mistress, identified only by her surname as Yang, at a ballroom last December. In the afternoon of January 27, 2007, the two met at the ballroom again, danced till midnight and decided to pass the night together.

 

Yang, who was 14 years older than Wu, suggested that they rent an apartment and live together. Wu quickly agreed but, the next morning, a fierce quarrel erupted between the two when the woman thought better of her decision.

 

Wu then lured Yang to a construction site in Dayang Township of Luyang District, Hefei City, and when Yang stumbled and fell to the ground, Wu picked up a brick and repeatedly hit his lover in the head, killing her.

 

Wu fled the scene with Yang's personal belongings.

 

An autopsy showed that Yang had died of severe brain injuries caused by a hard object.

 

Wu, who served jail terms for robbery and theft in 1996 and again in 2006, was on Tuesday convicted of robbery leading to death and was given the death penalty.

 

Wu said he would appeal.

 

(Xinhua News Agency July 14, 2007)