‘I was coerced’: Chinese woman pleads not guilty to serial murders

Lao Rongzhi says her role stopped at kidnapping and robbery, blaming executed boyfriend for the killings

Prosecutors allege Lao was a major perpetrator and should be held responsible for the deaths

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Lao Rongzhi stands trial in Nanchang Intermediate People’s Court. Photo: CCTV

Published: 7:54pm, 23 Dec 2020Updated: 7:54pm, 23 Dec 2020

A Chinese woman accused of murdering seven people, including a three-year-old girl, more than two decades ago pleaded not guilty to the charges, saying she was coerced into the crimes, according to state media reports.

In a two-day trial that ended on Tuesday, Lao Rongzhi, 46, told Nanchang Intermediate People’s Court that her involvement stopped at kidnapping and robbery and that she was not aware the victims would be murdered by her boyfriend and partner in crime Fa Ziying, according to Procuratorial Daily, a newspaper published by the Supreme People’s Procuratorate.

“I was only 21 … I was confused,” Lao was quoted as saying. “I was coerced by Fa and couldn’t break up for fear that he would retaliate against my family.”

Lao Rongzhi has been charged with murder, kidnapping and robbery. Photo: Weibo

Fa was tried and executed in 1999 after he was caught at the home of a victim in Hefei, Anhui province, attempting to collect a ransom.

Lao remained on the run until she was arrested in the southern city of Xiamen in November last year.

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