A 14-year-old boy received a life sentence after strangling his 15-year-old classmate to death following a failed rape attempt in southwest China. The Qujing Intermediate People’s Court imposed the maximum penalty allowed under Chinese law for minors, sparing him the death penalty due to his age.
The Incident
The horrific events occurred between the night of July 6 and early morning of July 7, 2025. The boy, identified as Jiang, and the victim, Fang Han Han, had been playing together earlier that evening. As they headed home, Jiang suddenly launched a violent assault, attempting to rape the terrified girl.
Fang screamed for help twice during the struggle. Fearing discovery, Jiang gripped her throat and strangled her until she became unresponsive. The court described the attack as “serious” and “vile.”
In a disturbing twist, after the killing, Jiang calmly went to pick mushrooms nearby before authorities arrived.
Court Verdict
Judges condemned the crime for its “particularly severe consequences,” stripping Jiang of political rights for life. Despite the extreme nature of the homicide, Chinese law prohibits the death penalty for those under 18. The court determined life imprisonment based on the facts, the crime’s nature, and the harm to society.
Family’s Reaction
Fang Han Han’s devastated father expressed outrage at the sentence, refusing to bury his daughter until full justice is served. “He wants me to forgive him. Why didn’t he go easy on my daughter and give her a chance to live?” the father stated. “I failed to protect my daughter and I have already let her down.”
The family’s lawyer, Zhou Zhaocheng, noted that the punishment represents the strictest available for a minor but offers little comfort for the parents’ “heart-wrenching pain.” The family intends to appeal the verdict.
