Student sentenced for burning classmate_美文_趣味英语-查字典英语网

Student sentenced for burning classmate

"Media outlets and the general public were both excluded from the hearing only because the defendant is underage, it's conventional," said Han Wei, senior lawyer and partner at Anhui's Zhongtian Law Firm.

"Neither public opinion nor the degree of satisfaction of the injured party should affect the course of justice," said Han.

He added the court was under huge pressure because the majority of the public was on the side of Zhou Yan.

Zhou's team of lawyers withdrew their request for additional civil compensation on May 4, and decided to begin civil litigation in August, Wang said.

"It's possible that the judge might offer Tao a lower sentence if both of his criminal and civil cases were decided together," said Wu Dong, a senior partner at Shanghai’s M&A Law Firm. "Sometimes the court encourages that when the injured party receives enough financial compensation."

Wu said temporarily dropping civil compensation is a legal strategy to maximize Zhou Yan's benefits. Zhou Yan's father Zhou Feng said he would request 3 million yuan ($475,000) in compensation from Tao.

About the broadcaster:

Nelly Min is an editor at China Daily with more than 10 years of experience as a newspaper editor and photographer. She has worked at major newspapers in the U.S., including the Los Angeles Times and the Detroit Free Press. She is also fluent in Korean.