Tenor's son gets 2nd trial in gang rape case

The second gang-rape trial of a celebrity's son surnamed Li came to an end in Beijing at 22:15 on Nov 19, after more than 13 hours in session. The verdict will be announced at a later date, the Beijing No 1 Intermediate People's Court said. The attorney for the young Li said, "There is no more court sessions tomorrow," as he was leaving the court. Li, son of renowned tenor Li Shuangjiang, and four other men were detained on Feb 21 on suspicion of raping a woman surnamed Yang in a hotel. The younger Li was sentenced to 10 years in prison, another suspect, Wang, got 12 years, and the three others were given prison terms of 3 to 4 years after the first trial. The Beijing No 1 Intermediate People's Court heard the appeal submitted by Li and Wang. [Photo/icpress.cn]

BEIJING - A court in Beijing on Tuesday heard the appeal of two defendants, including a son of a well-recognized uniformed tenor, who were given prison terms for gang rape.

The 17-year-old son to the 74-year-old singer Li Shuangjiang and the other juvenile offender surnamed Wang stood the second trial in Beijing's No 1 Intermediate People's Court. Defense lawyers of the both insisted on the advocacy of innocence, the court said.

The younger Li and Wang are among five men who allegedly gang-raped a woman in a Beijing hotel on February 7, which has sparked outcry and heated controversy among public.

The singer Li taught at the Academy of Arts affiliated to the Chinese armed forces. The singer's wife also sings.

Li was sentenced to 10 years in prison and Wang was given 12-year imprisonment by the Beijing Haidian District Court on September 26 on charges of gang rape.

Li lodged an appeal through his lawyer on October 10 to Beijing's No 1 Intermediate People's Court.

The case is heard in private session. It will be decided on at a later date, the court said.