In a significant judicial reversal, the Yunnan High People’s Court has sentenced Tian Yongming to death for intentional homicide, overturning a previously suspended death penalty. The ruling concludes a protracted legal process stemming from violent crimes committed over two decades ago.
The court determined that Tian’s extensive criminal history, beginning with a 1996 conviction for the rape and attempted murder of his sister-in-law, demonstrated exceptional severity warranting capital punishment. After serving a nine-year prison term, Tian immediately sought retaliation against his victim upon release in 2002.
On November 13, 2002, Tian forcibly entered the woman’s residence armed with a knife. When she escaped, villager Liu Mingfu attempted intervention but was fatally stabbed multiple times. Tian subsequently caught his sister-in-law and inflicted severe stab wounds before bystanders halted the assault.
Following nearly twenty years as a fugitive, technological advancements in surveillance and intelligence analysis enabled authorities to locate and arrest Tian in February 2022 in Changsha, Hunan province. The Yuxi Intermediate People’s Court initially issued a suspended death sentence later that year.
The case underwent multiple judicial reviews, with the high court initially upholding the suspended sentence in October 2025 under the principle prohibiting increased penalties upon appeal. However, just two days later, the court ordered a retrial citing improper legal application and inappropriate sentencing.
The final judgment emphasized that Tian’s actions reflected blatant disregard for legal and social norms, demonstrating profound malicious intent and particularly heinous circumstances that posed grave societal threats. The court noted the defendant’s complete lack of remorse despite previous imprisonment.
The death sentence now proceeds to the Supreme People’s Court for mandatory review, as required by Chinese law. Beijing-based lawyer Xu Hao confirmed that Tian retains the right to submit final appeals and defense statements during this review process.