John
01-26-2011, 08:20 AM
The son of a senior Chinese police officer who caused outrage when he allegedly tried to use his father's status to escape the scene of a deadly hit-and-run stood trial Wednesday, a court official said.
"The trial started at nine this morning and is ongoing," an official at Wangdu court in the northern province of Hebei, who refused to be named, told AFP.
Li Qiming, who was 22 at the time, reportedly hit two students -- killing one -- while driving drunk in a university campus in Hebei's Baoding city in October.
He is said to have challenged people to sue him as he tried to flee the scene, shouting "my father is Li Gang", referring to the deputy director of the public security bureau in the city district where the incident took place.
The case sparked huge outrage on the Internet over what many saw as a brazen attempt by a privileged youngster to use his father's high-powered position to avoid justice.
The story spilled over into state-controlled traditional media, and police subsequently arrested the young Li.
The family of the pedestrian who was killed was then reportedly told to stop talking about the case, after receiving compensation of 460,000 yuan ($70,000).
Chen Lin, the victim's brother, has however told the official Global Times newspaper he fears Li Qiming will not be punished according to law, "considering Li's family background".
The court official told AFP he was unaware whether a verdict on the case would be reached on Wednesday.
Source - Yahoo.
"The trial started at nine this morning and is ongoing," an official at Wangdu court in the northern province of Hebei, who refused to be named, told AFP.
Li Qiming, who was 22 at the time, reportedly hit two students -- killing one -- while driving drunk in a university campus in Hebei's Baoding city in October.
He is said to have challenged people to sue him as he tried to flee the scene, shouting "my father is Li Gang", referring to the deputy director of the public security bureau in the city district where the incident took place.
The case sparked huge outrage on the Internet over what many saw as a brazen attempt by a privileged youngster to use his father's high-powered position to avoid justice.
The story spilled over into state-controlled traditional media, and police subsequently arrested the young Li.
The family of the pedestrian who was killed was then reportedly told to stop talking about the case, after receiving compensation of 460,000 yuan ($70,000).
Chen Lin, the victim's brother, has however told the official Global Times newspaper he fears Li Qiming will not be punished according to law, "considering Li's family background".
The court official told AFP he was unaware whether a verdict on the case would be reached on Wednesday.
Source - Yahoo.