Beijing-based lawyer Li Zhuang has admitted to the charge of giving false evidence at the first trial of his case at a court in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on Tuesday.
Ten minutes into the trial, Li Zhuang told the judge at the Chongqing No.1 Intermediate People's Court that he will withdraw his appeal to the verdict issued in the first trial, which he said was based on clear facts and substantial evidence.
In response to his defending lawyer Chen Youxi's inquiry, Li said he understood the consequences of the withdrawal and admitted to the charge of giving false evidence. He was also charged with obstructing a witness.
He also told the court that he committed the offence in order to mislead the judicial departments, and also to seek to clear his client of gang related criminal charges.
Li, however, insisted that he would continue to appeal although he admitted the grounds of his first appeal are now invalid.
Li Zhuang received a sentence of two and a half years for fabricating evidence and interfering with testimonies while defending Gong Gangmo, the Chongqing Jiangbei district court ruled January 8.
The court said then Li had instructed Gong to falsely claim that police tortured him into a confession, directed another lawyer to bribe police and incited Gong's wife and his employees to give false testimony.
Li Zhuang, a lawyer with Beijing Kangda Law Firm, was arrested on December 12. The 48-year-old Li was implicated by his client Gong Gangmo, who faces charges of organizing, leading and participating in a criminal organization, murder, and illegally selling and transporting drugs and guns.
Gong, who was produced as a witness on Tuesday, told the court he was overwhelmed by the defence lawyers' questions and did not want to testify further. Gong was then discharged from the court room.
The trial is still ongoing as of press time. |
