Court takes case of improper detention

Song Zhengguang and his mother sit inside a car after Song was released on bail in Huaiyang county, Central China's Henan province, Jan 1, 2014. [Photo/CFP]

Lin said on Thursday that the large compensation request, mostly for mental suffering, was based on the harm caused to Song and his family.

Song was sentenced in 2007, when he was 16, to life in prison for allegedly sexually assaulting and killing a 9-year-old girl, who was said to be his cousin.

Henan High People's Court sent the case back to the lower court for a retrial for unclear facts and insufficient evidence after Song appealed, but a retrial was not carried out.