Man acquitted of murdering ex-girlfriend after serving 14 years

A man was acquitted of the murder of his ex-girlfriend after serving 14 years behind bars, the Higher People’s Court of Fujian Province announced Tuesday.

Miao Xinhua was cleared of murdering, cutting up and dumping his ex-girlfriend Yang Yanhui on April 6, 2003, the court heard.

His father, uncle and two brothers who had been found guilty of helping cover up the crime and assisting in cutting up and dumping the body were also acquitted. They had been sentenced to jail terms ranging from three to eight years and have already served their time.

Fujian Higher People’s Court overturned the previous verdict due to insufficient facts and evidence.

In the first and second trial, Miao was accused of strangling Yang to death during a fight. Miao’s father and younger brother were alleged to have helped Miao cut the body into seven pieces. Miao’s uncle was said to have used a tractor to help dump the body in an abandoned house in the woods.

Miao received the death sentence in the first trial and appealed, leading to the punishment being reduced to life in prison in the second trial.

Fujian Higher People’s Court decided to review the case in July 2017 after Miao and his family continued to file complaints.