City workers beat man to death, court is told
Source: Xinhua |
August 26, 2011, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THREE officers from a local urban management bureau in northeastern China stood trial yesterday over the beating death of a man who was attacked after trying to lay cement outside of his home.
Three officers from the city of Liaoyang, including team leader Zhang Song and officers Liu Yi and Zheng Xiaoxi, are accused of assault leading to the death of Zhou Xiaoming, a city resident, the district procuratorate said.
The Hongwei District People's Court heard the case yesterday but did not make a ruling.
The three suspects tried to stop Zhou from laying cement on the ground outside his home in a residential compound during a routine patrol of the community on May 3, according to the prosecution.
The suspects said Zhou came up to their van, questioned their order and hit Zhang with his shovel. Infuriated by his response, the officers jumped out of the van and attacked Zhou.
During the fight, Zhang hit Zhou in the head, knocking him unconscious. Zhou died later in a hospital. Experts from China Medical University confirmed that he died of a heart attack triggered by agitation and physical assault.
Zhou's son, Zhou Yang, said he tried to stop the fight, warning the officers that his father had a history of heart disease. Prosecutors said that Zhou Xiaoming showed the officers his scar from a previous surgery during the fight.
Urban management officers, or "chengguan," operate in all Chinese cities. Their primary responsibilities include patrolling communities to deter illegal streetside vendors, illegal cabs and unauthorized construction projects. The officers have often been criticized by Chinese citizens for their heavy-handed tactics.
Three officers from the city of Liaoyang, including team leader Zhang Song and officers Liu Yi and Zheng Xiaoxi, are accused of assault leading to the death of Zhou Xiaoming, a city resident, the district procuratorate said.
The Hongwei District People's Court heard the case yesterday but did not make a ruling.
The three suspects tried to stop Zhou from laying cement on the ground outside his home in a residential compound during a routine patrol of the community on May 3, according to the prosecution.
The suspects said Zhou came up to their van, questioned their order and hit Zhang with his shovel. Infuriated by his response, the officers jumped out of the van and attacked Zhou.
During the fight, Zhang hit Zhou in the head, knocking him unconscious. Zhou died later in a hospital. Experts from China Medical University confirmed that he died of a heart attack triggered by agitation and physical assault.
Zhou's son, Zhou Yang, said he tried to stop the fight, warning the officers that his father had a history of heart disease. Prosecutors said that Zhou Xiaoming showed the officers his scar from a previous surgery during the fight.
Urban management officers, or "chengguan," operate in all Chinese cities. Their primary responsibilities include patrolling communities to deter illegal streetside vendors, illegal cabs and unauthorized construction projects. The officers have often been criticized by Chinese citizens for their heavy-handed tactics.
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