Aug 9, 2012
Translated by Zhu Na

Gu Kailai and Zhang Xiaojun stood trial at Hefei Intermediate People’s Court today on charges of intentional homicide in relation to the death of a British man called Neil Heywood in Chongqing last year.

At a subsequent press briefing, officials from the Hefei Intermediate People’s Court said that the prosecutor had argued that Gu Kailai and Zhang Xiaojun’s criminal actions were clear, that they violated the criminal law and that they should be held accountable for the crime of intentional homicide.

According to a Xinhua News Agency report that was published at about 4.30pm this afternoon, though both individuals are charged with the same crime, Zhang Xiaojun is being treated as an accomplice and Gu Kailai as the main culprit.

Gu Kailia is said to have arranged for Zhang Xiaojun, who was an employee of the general office of the Chongqing Municipal Party Committee, to arrange to meet with Neil Heywood and to travel with him to Chongqing from Beijing.

According to the report, on the evening of Nov 13 last year, Gu Kailai visited Neil Heywood at his hotel and drank alcohol and tea with him. After Heywood had vomited after drinking too much alcohol he asked for some water, it is alleged that Gu Kailai poured the poison, that she had prepared beforehand and had Zhang bring along with him, into Heywood's mouth.

Xinhua News Agency reported that there were more than 140 people sitting in the public gallery for the trial, these included friends and family members of both the two accused and also the victim, officials from the British Embassy and Consulate in China, journalists, National People’s Congress representatives, members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and people from all walks of life.

Legal representatives entrusted by the family of Neil Heywood participated in the hearing and were given the opportunity to express their views. Expert witnesses also testified during the trial.

Gu Kailai appeared to be in good health and did not raise objections to the charges against her.

According to the Xinhua report, the court will announce the verdict and sentence at an unspecified time in the future.

The Xinhua report also noted that the Hefei Intermediate People’s Court will tomorrow hold a public hearing in a related case. Four former senior public security officials from Chongqing are alleged to have interfered with the investigation into the causes of Neil Heywood's death in a bid to help protect Gu Kailai.

Links and Sources
Xinhua News Agency: 薄谷开来、张晓军故意杀人案一审开庭