Details of the trials of Wang Lijun

MERITORIOUS REPORTING

While being investigated, Wang produced important clues that exposed serious offenses committed by others. Such clues played a key role in the investigation of other cases.

At the courtroom, Wang's defender pleaded for a mitigated punishment for Wang after fully expressing relevant views. The defender said that Wang left the US Consulate General in Chengdu by his own will, an act that should be regarded as a termination of defection and thus should result in a mitigated punishment or no punishment. Wang also voluntarily surrendered while being investigated for bending the law for selfish ends, meaning that his crime's circumstances should be regarded as "serious" instead of "especially serious," the defender said, requesting that the court fully consider these factors.

The prosecution said Wang's defection belongs to conduct crime which should be taken as a complete offense as long as it was carried out. The defendant, with premeditation, entered the US Consulate General in Chengdu under the pretense of negotiating business and stayed in the consulate to write an application for political asylum. Wang's behavior constitutes a complete offense.

Wang voluntarily surrendered after defecting and confessed related information about the major facts concerning his defection, such behavior constitutes voluntary surrender, the prosecution said. According to Article 67 of the Criminal Law, there could be lighter or mitigated punishment.

Wang, as the chief of Chongqing's Public Security Bureau, failed to perform his investigation duties regarding the serious crime of intentional homicide, and he played a key role in bending the law for selfish ends. The crime should be regarded as "especially serious," according to the prosecution.

Wang later ordered his Chongqing police subordinates to collect and preserve evidence regarding the murder case involving Bogu Kailai. He also reported the possible involvement of Bogu Kailai to the authorities, provided evidence and willingly assisted in the reinvestigation of the case. Since Wang played a crucial role in helping public security authorities to crack the case, the penalty for his crime of bending the law for personal gain could be lighter, the prosecution said

Moreover, Wang produced important clues that exposed serious offenses committed by others and played a key part in the investigation of the cases, which could be considered as major meritorious service. According to Article 68 of the Criminal Law, Wang could be given a mitigated punishment, the prosecution said.