Lawyer's Retraction Written into Plea Bargain

(Caixin Online) The ensuing drama revolving around the Li Zhuang case, a Beijing lawyer who was found guilty for pressuring a client to give false testimony, took a further twist as he revised his plea for the second time upon hearing his appeal verdict on February 9.

The guilty verdict of Li was upheld by the appeals court in Chongqing, although his sentence was reduced from 30 months to 18 months. However, upon hearing his appeal verdict on February 9, Li immediately accused judiciary officials of breaking their promise. A week earlier, Li shocked court observers in a sudden capitulation of his first sentence appeal. Li said that his early admission of guilt was on the one hand enticed by "relevant departments (有关方面)," and on the other hand, a defense strategy.  

Li instructed court observers to study his confession. The six-point admission of guilt, announced by Li during his appeal, contains an acrostic that narrates his retraction. The first and last characters of each sentence form a statement that says, "forced into the guilty plea and a reprieve, and will certainly appeal once I'm out (of custody)."

Gao Zicheng, Li's defense lawyer, told the media that "relevant departments" asked Li to "think about the big picture" and change attorneys. After the request was rejected by Li, officials required Li to persuade his defense lawyers to withdraw his appeal. Gao said officials who made promises to Li were high-ranking.

Led by the police from the court room, Li shouted, "I hope China's 160,000 lawyers will fight against activities in violation of the Criminal Law. Fight to the end! I will appeal to the end!" The line was similar to his reaction when he was first sentenced to 30 months in early January, but public sentiments have shifted drastically after his recent false plea of guilt.

(Translated by LX)

Full article in Chinese: http://policy.caing.com/2010-02-09/100116950.html