Li Tian Yi Trial Updates

Li Tian Yi, as you well know is standing trial accused of gang-raping a bargirl identified only by her surname, referred to in reports as Ms. Yang.  The trial entered it's second day today, and The China Daily is reporting that while three of his "friends" have pleaded guilty to the charges, Tian Yi, who is apparently also know as Li Guan Feng for some bizarre reason has pleaded not guilty.

On the night in question, the poor little darling claims that he was sleepy because he had so much drink (he's 17), because the case involved minors, under Chinese law, their identities are protected and few details are forthcoming.

What is telling, however is that bonkers old Meng Ge, the MILF  married to Li Shuang Jing (25 years her senior) failed in an attempt to get the case reduced down to a mere prostitution hearing.  Ge has spent considerable time and effort smearing the victim, alleging her to be a prostitute, and  calling out everyone involved at the bar where Tian Ti/Guan Feng picked her up as being major league pimps with nothing better to do than drinking and whoring.

The trial continues.

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Li Tian Yi Trial to Begin

August has been a month of big trials in China, and another one is due to start today, with our favorite spoiled brat Li Tian Yi to face the music over his alleged involvement in a gang rape.

China watchers will be more than familiar with the case, (for the uneducated, here's a good overview what the hell has been going on)  as Li's mother Meng Ge hasn't shut up whining about it since Li was charged in May of this year.  After much petitioning, sobbing and vehement protestations of innocence, Li will have his day in court, but because he is technically a minor, court transcripts will not be published.

Because both Meng Ge, and Tian Yi's father, Li Shuang Jing are famous military singers, and are considered members of China's elite, there have been some shady goings on in the lead up the trial.  Most tellingly, the alledged victim, identified only by her surname, Yang, was hospitalized for treatment for depression days last week, and conveniently won't be able to appear in person at the trial.

While Chinese law doesn't specifically say that she has to appear in court, the amount of shit that's been flung by bonkers old Meng Ge has made her appearance somewhat critical to proceedings.  While Yang maintains that she works as a secretary, and only does part time work at the bar where Li and his high-school cronies picked her up, allegations of prostitution have been raised in a vicious PR offensive.

Some observers have questioned the timing of the trial, so soon after the hospitalization of the victim who brought the charges in the first place, but there's little the prosecution council can do except hope that Ms. Yang will be well enough to endure cross-examination by Li's defense lawyers.  If convicted, Li faces 3-10 year in prison.

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The Trial of Li TianYi

in addition to Bo Xi Lai getting his  comeuppance in court, another trial creating just as much interest online in China is in progress.  Accused of sexually assaulting a drunken waitress in a high class bar in Wu Dao Kou, the trial of Li Tianyi has prompted questions about Chinese parenting and the apparent immunity from the law of China's  官二代.

Li, 17, is the son of a two famous military singing stars (it's a big thing in China), and this is not the first time that the young man, the best description of whom this reporter could find was "spoiled brat", has been in trouble with the law.   Li's father, Li Shuang Jing holds the equivalent of major-general rank the PLA, and his mother, Meng Ge has been leading the PR offensive, suggesting that Li is being extorted and that the woman he and his friends stand accused of gang raping is a prostitute.  Meng Ge has since accused the owner of the bar, Zhang Guangyao of pimping and extortion, a claim he denies.

The "prostitute" begs to differ, as does the advertising company she works at (she claims she worked at the bar part time for tips).  As does the bar where Li and his cronies picked up the two girls and later allegedly raped them.

Upon hearing the claim by Li's mother the owner of the  bar, The Global Club, Zhang Guangyao said "This is slander, pure nonsense; I think she's gone crazy.  She has to realize libel is a crime. Meng Ge has completely lost her mind and is desperate to get her son out. But the police have come to the bar many times to collect evidence and prosecutors have solid evidence to establish their case. If she goes on like this, defaming the bar's honor, we will sue."  The family seem to be on shaky ground with their allegations of prostitution and extortion, since they've chosen to report these crimes to the court, rather than filing official complaints with the police.

Entering a plea of not guilty is quite a ballsy move, examining the evidence that had been made available to press, he seems set to be sent down by the judge.  If he is, then the wild accusation his mother has been quite vocally making could backfire quite badly for both the family and the ruin the already dubious reputation that China's elite families have.