Killer's girlfriend on trial for helping lover

Prosecutors told the court that Zhang saw Zhou with a gun during the period they lived together.

On Aug 10, hours after Zhou allegedly committed a robbery and double murder, prosecutors said he met Zhang outside a hotel in the Shapingba district and gave her 60,000 yuan ($9,600).

Zhang kept in touch with Zhou through text messages and sent him media reports about the latest efforts of police to find him.

She also gave him makeup so he could disguise himself by covering a distinctive scar, prosecutors said.

When Zhou was shot dead, police found he was in possession of pistols that had been used in two robberies in Chongqing in 2004 and 2005.

In court, Zhang denied that she came to Chongqing with Zhou to make money.

She also denied knowing that the money Zhou gave her came from robberies and said she only knew the money was robbed after reading news reports, according to a media statement from the court.

Zhang was calm and able to clearly articulate herself during the court hearing, according to an eyewitness who did not want to be identified.

The court heard around five hours of evidence on Tuesday. The court will deliver its verdict at a later date.

Zhang's lawyer Yao Fei, from the Zhouji Law Firm in Chengdu, said his client is innocent.

"The two charges cannot stand as there is clear evidence that shows Zhang had no knowledge Zhou was a criminal suspect when she received the money and sent him the text messages," he said in a phone interview.

"The four- to seven-year prison term also seems way too harsh," he added.

Contact the writer at xuwei@chinadaily.com.cn