Even though the stepfather only suffered minor injuries, he was still convicted of intentional homicide.
Xiao Zhang was determined to kill his stepfather, Old Zhang. Although he did not cause his stepfather's death, his actions have constituted the crime of intentional homicide.
Xiao Zhang, a 25-year-old man from Tianzhen County. After the Spring Festival in 2014, Xiao Zhang and his mother Han went to Shijiazhuang for work. In mid-March, Han noticed that Xiao Zhang was in poor mental state, often having unfounded suspicions. Han thought of taking Xiao Zhang home for medical treatment. Her idea was supported by her husband, Old Zhang.
On April 2, Old Zhang brought Xiao Zhang home and found him with bloodshot eyes, refusing to talk to family, alternating between crying and laughing, and shouting that he wanted to commit suicide. After dinner, seeing Xiao Zhang in great distress, Old Zhang gave him a sedative pill, but it had little effect. Old Zhang felt that Xiao Zhang had been possessed by something unclean. So, following superstitious practices, Old Zhang lit yellow paper and circled it around Xiao Zhang to drive away the unclean things.
Old Zhang was actually Xiao Zhang's stepfather. And Xiao Zhang's mother, Han, had a history of mental illness.
After being taken home by Old Zhang, Xiao Zhang felt that his stepfather and mother wanted to harm him. That night, after his stepfather and mother fell asleep, Xiao Zhang began to feel uncomfortable. He turned on the lights in the house, started cursing Old Zhang, grabbed Old Zhang by the collar with his left hand, and punched Old Zhang in the head with his right fist. Old Zhang quickly ran out of the house, with Xiao Zhang chasing closely behind. When Old Zhang was about to reach the gate, he fell down. Xiao Zhang casually pushed over a low brick wall in the yard. The bricks fell on Old Zhang, and Xiao Zhang picked up a brick and began hitting Old Zhang in the head. At that time, Xiao Zhang felt full of strength and was solely focused on beating Old Zhang to death. He believed that only in this way could Old Zhang no longer harm him.
After evaluation, Xiao Zhang was found to have a depressive episode with psychotic symptoms and had partial criminal responsibility. Old Zhang's injuries constituted minor injuries.
At the time of the incident, Xiao Zhang was intent on taking Old Zhang's life. Although Old Zhang only sustained minor injuries, this outcome did not affect Xiao Zhang's conviction for intentional homicide. Considering Xiao Zhang's mental illness and other factors, the court sentenced him to three years in prison for intentional homicide and deprived him of political rights for one year.
