A 14-year-old boy received a life sentence from the Qujing Intermediate People’s Court in southwest China for strangling his 15-year-old classmate to death following an attempted rape. The court imposed the maximum penalty available, sparing the death sentence due to the defendant’s age under Chinese law.

The Fatal Assault

The incident occurred between the night of July 6 and the early hours of July 7, 2025. The two classmates had been playing together earlier that evening. As they headed home, the boy suddenly launched a violent attack on the girl, identified as Fang Hanhan.

Court findings detail how he attempted to rape her. She screamed for help twice, prompting him to strangle her in fear of discovery. “Fearing his actions would be discovered, the 14-year-old strangled Fang to death with his hands,” the court stated. He continued until she became unresponsive.

After the killing, the boy calmly picked mushrooms nearby before authorities arrived.

Court Verdict and Legal Constraints

Judges described the crime as having “particularly severe consequences,” permanently stripping the boy of his political rights. Despite the homicide’s “extremely serious” nature, Chinese law prohibits the death penalty for those under 18. The court determined that life imprisonment fit the facts, crime’s nature, and societal harm.

Victim’s Family Responds

Fang Hanhan’s father expressed profound grief over the verdict, refusing to bury his daughter until fuller justice prevails. “He wants me to forgive him. Why didn’t he go easy on my daughter and give her a chance to live?” the father stated. He added, “I failed to protect my daughter and I have already let her down.”

The family’s lawyer, Zhou Zhaocheng, noted that the sentence represents the strictest punishment possible for a minor offender. However, it offers little relief from the parents’ “heart-wrenching pain.” The family intends to appeal the decision.