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Stella Lee

Telford Gardens murderer Li Yuhui was executed by firing squad yesterday after a court rejected his appeal.

 Li, 47, was denied a last chance to see members of his family when the Guangdong Provincial Higher People's Court said that such arrangements were not provided for in law.

 The self-proclaimed fung shui master, convicted of killing three women and two girls at the Kowloon Bay estate during a 'life-lengthening' ceremony, was executed immediately after the ruling was announced.

  Li was convicted of poisoning the victims and robbing them of $1.2 million he asked the three women to pay during the ceremony on July 21 last year.

 He lodged an appeal after being sentenced to death and having his property confiscated on March 23 for the murder and robbery charges.

 Judge Wu Qicai said yesterday that Li's request for a renewed investigation had been rejected because there was clear evidence he had committed the offences.

 Judge Wu said Li's argument that he should face theft instead of robbery charges was also unacceptable because he had killed the victims before taking the money.

 'The appeal is rejected. The original sentences will be maintained,' Judge Wu said as he read out the decision at Shantou City Intermediate People's Court.

 Li's lawyer, Chen Ruilin, said Li's wife Chen Xiju had asked to see her husband on Monday, while Li had asked to see his elderly mother and two sons.

 'Permission was not given as the court said it was not provided in the law,' Mr Chen said.

 A notice was posted outside the court, spelling out the details of the case, the verdict on Li and his execution. It said the modus operandi of the case was cruel and the consequences serious.

 Mr Chen said Li, who claimed he was only an aide to a Zen follower in performing the ritual ceremony, had psychologically prepared himself for the death penalty.

 'We told him that if he did not provide new evidence to prove his innocence, he would face the death penalty. He said he knew,' Mr Chen said.

 Neither the family members of Li nor those of the five Hong Kong victims attended the hearing, which was open to the public.

 Li's wife could not be contacted yesterday and her hairdresser's salon was closed.

 She paid the lawyers the 2,000 yuan legal fees needed for the appeal, although she was said to have had a bad relationship with her husband.



Telford killer executed after appeal rejected