Court passes its test

The first-instance court in Beijing delivers a guilty verdict in a gang rape case. One of the five defendants sticking to his not guilty claim says he will appeal.

Just another case; had one defendant, a 17-year-old boy, not been the notorious son of two celebrity army singers; had he not just completed 12 months in a juvenile correction center for mayhem; and had there not been obvious attempts to manipulate public opinion.

From the very beginning, this case was destined to be sensational and sensationalized. It had all the elements of a juicy scandal and the protracted hoopla surrounding it incorporated lies, rumors, and conspiracy plot theories, along with accusations of failed parenting and celebrity privileges, and allegations about the victim.