Woman kills husband, hides body in freezer; can voluntary surrender lead to a lighter sentence?

Compiled from The Paper
 
Recently, a case involving a woman born in the 1990s who killed her husband and hid his body in a freezer has drawn public attention.

 
 

Case review
Late at night on March 20, the Gusu Branch of the Suzhou Public Security Bureau issued a police bulletin:

 
 

Recently, a local resident, Zha Mouli (female, born in 1993), turned herself in to our bureau, stating that due to family conflicts, she had killed her husband, Pang Mouwei (male, born in 1991), and hid the body in a freezer at home. Upon receiving the report, our bureau immediately launched an investigation. After the incident, Zha Mouli was placed under criminal detention by our bureau.
 
On March 20, our bureau submitted a request to the procuratorial organ for approval of arrest of Zha Mouli. The case is under further investigation.
 
 
"Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China"
Article 67 
Surrender voluntarily after committing a crime and truthfully confess one's own crimes constitutes voluntary surrender. Criminals who voluntarily surrender may be given a lighter or mitigated punishment. Among them, those whose crimes are relatively minor may be exempted from punishment.
A criminal suspect or defendant who is under compulsory measures, or a convict who is serving a sentence, and who truthfully confesses other crimes of which the judicial authorities are not yet aware, shall be deemed to have voluntarily surrendered.
Although a criminal suspect does not have the circumstances of voluntary surrender as provided in the preceding two paragraphs, if he or she truthfully confesses his or her own crimes, a lighter punishment may be imposed; if, due to such truthful confession, particularly serious consequences are avoided, a mitigated punishment may be imposed.
 
 
[1] The author's perspective
In this case, Zha Mouli, before being discovered by investigative, prosecutorial, or judicial authorities for her criminal act, voluntarily placed herself under the lawful control of the authorities to accept investigation and adjudication. This act, based on her own will and proactive surrender, is considered voluntary surrender.
 
According to the above legal provisions, for a criminal who voluntarily surrenders, the law stipulates that leniency or mitigation "may" be granted, which means that voluntary surrender does not necessarily lead to leniency or mitigation; it also depends on the specific circumstances of the case. However, the fact that Zha Mouli killed her own husband has become indisputable. She has the courage to face the mistake she committed and to bear the consequences she should bear, and it is believed that the law will also give her a fair and just judgment.