11.45am
A former high-ranking officer in the Chinese Army who murdered his 10-year-old stepson was today jailed for life with a non-parole period of 14 years.
In the High Court at Auckland today Justice Robert Chambers said Zhen Huan Li said Li, 41, had committed an "appalling" murder and had nearly killed
his wife in the same attack.
Li earlier admitted murdering Wenda Zeng and attempting to murder his wife, Hua Dai, an academic working at Auckland University.
He attacked them with a steel table leg in their Birkenhead apartment on September 4 last year.
"An innocent child was repeatedly struck on the head with a table leg and killed, the judge said.
"That killing must be denounced and that conduct must be deterred.
"The fact that you also nearly killed your wife must be reflected in the sentence."
During the sentencing Justice Chambers took the unusual step of allowing Li to address the court after submissions by his own lawyer, Peter Kaye, and crown prosecutor Aaron Perkins.
Li told the court through an interpreter he was deeply remorseful for what he had done and said a moment of lapsed judgment had caused a lifetime of regret.
"I am a sinner."
He said he begged his wife's forgiveness.
"I didn't want to live when I heard the child had died. I really loved that child and the child loved me.
"I am in such pain I want to die."
Justice Chambers said he accepted Li was genuinely remorseful and taking other factors into account, it would be manifestly unjust to impose a non-parole period of 17 years.
He ordered US$1000 ($1572) seized by police from Li be paid as part reparation to Li's wife for her trauma.
- NZPA
