Gu Kailai receives suspended death sentence

Gu Kailai, the wife of ousted Chongqing party secretary Bo Xilai, faces life in prison after a court in Anhui province dealt her a suspended death sentence for the murder of British businessman Neil Heywood, The Guardian reported, citing Gu’s lawyer. A suspended death sentence is generally commuted to life in prison after about two years. Family aide Zhang Xiaojun, who was convicted of assisting in the murder, received a nine-year sentence. “I respect the sentence from the court. I have not met the relatives. We will discuss this later. The court had reasons,” He Zhengsheng, the family’s lawyer, told media outside the Hefei courthouse. Gu had been allowed to make statement to the court, he added, but did not give further details. Gu likely avoided the death penalty because she claimed Heywood had threatened her son’s life. The murder contributed to the ouster of Bo Xilai, although it remains unclear if he will also face trial.