|
Download An ex-tycoon, convicted of illegal fundraising, had her death sentence commuted by the High People's Court in East China's Zhejiang province on Monday. The court passed a death sentence, with a two-year reprieve. This usually translates into life in prison and is often reduced further for good behavior. Wu Ying, 31, once one of China's richest women, has also been deprived of political rights for life and her private property has been confiscated, according to the provincial court's final judgment. The founder of the Bense Holding Group in Zhejiang was sentenced to death in December 2009 by an Intermediate people's court in the province. She was found guilty of defrauding investors out of 380 million yuan but she had raised 770 million yuan from 11 lenders, promising high returns, from May 2005 to February 2007, the court said. Wu still had 380 million yuan when the case was uncovered. The court said Wu amassed the fortune by deceit and promising high returns as an incentive. The province's High People's Court upheld the death sentence on Jan 18, but the Supreme People's Court overturned the judgment and sent the case back to the provincial court for re-sentencing on April 20. It was not heard in public but the provincial court said on Monday's news release that all procedures had been followed. Death sentences that are returned to the courts can be commuted directly, while those with questionable evidence or that followed incorrect procedures, must be heard by a new collegiate bench. | 
