Chen Zhaofeng

Background

Chen Zhaofeng was born in Mudanjiang, a city in Northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. His father, a Shanghai native, went to the northern province as an educated youth during the “cultural revolution” (1966-76). There, the man married a local woman who gave birth to Chen, the only child of the family. The family returned to the city in 1995 when the boy was 15 years old.

Because of the economic disparity between Mudanjiang and Shanghai, Chen led a “miserably poor life.” His family’s monthly income totalled around 300 yuan ($36.3) at that time, and his mother had long been suffering a poor health condition. Chen dropped out of school in 1995 and did not finish junior middle school.

To support the family, Chen did odd jobs, including stealing cats at night and selling them to cat dealers for profit. In 1999, he was taken into custody for 10 days by police for stealing.

Wang Qian’en, a lawyer for Chen, said: “Of course, I wanted to find a stable job, but it was hopeless because of my poor education.” Chen said: “The depressed and destitute young man resorted to drinking as an outlet.”

The offence

Between June 2001 and January 2002, Chen Zhaofeng attacked seven women in Putuo, Jing’an and Xuhui districts. The serial attacks resulted in two deaths and five cases of brain damage.

Chen used hammers he had bought, and he previously attacked a woman with an empty beer bottle.

First attack (beer bottle)

On the night of June 2, 2001, Chen attacked a 32-year-old woman in Putuo District with an empty beer bottle. After the victim collapsed, Chen grabbed her mobile phone and ring, which totalled 700 yuan ($84.6). Chen said: “Later, I found that bottles easily broke, and did not always render the victim unconscious.”

Hammer use and first death (Cai Yafei)

Chen said: “I began to use hammers and had bought three in all.” Gold necklace Cai was Chen’s second victim but first death. Chen admitted that he hit the woman three times with his hammer in a neighbourhood in Jing’an District.

Cai Yafei’s body was discovered near her home early the next day after Chen’s second attack, and Cai Yafei’s money, mobile phone, and jewellery, worth a total of 7,400 yuan ($895), were missing.

Wu Chaofu provided testimony in court, saying: “I last saw my wife around 10:00am before she left our home on July 11 last year,” and Cai Yafei’s body was discovered early the next day.

Third victim (hammer; gold necklace)

About two weeks later, Chen attacked the third woman with a hammer in Xuhui District and stole her gold necklace.

Next four assaults (Putuo District)

He did not follow or attack any women until the following November, when he committed the next four assaults in Putuo District.

Assault on Meng Weiping (fatal)

On the night of January 11, Chen assaulted 22-year-old Meng Weiping, delivering three blows to her head. She was found dead in a flower terrace on the morning of January 12. Chen only found 150 yuan ($18.1), some books, a bag and some clothes in the victim’s possession.

Injury to another woman after Meng Weiping

However, Chen seriously injured another woman about an hour later and stole her belongings valued at 4,100 yuan ($496).

Chen’s crime spree ended that night.

Investigation, detention and questioning

Chen was questioned by police 10 days after the spree ended and was taken into detention on January 23.

Chen netted items valued at 13,000 yuan ($1,572) from the seven attacks. Chen said: “I either sold my loot or gave it to my friends.”

Trial

Chen was accused of serial murder and robbery.

Wang Qian’en said he was Chen’s lawyer. At the first hearing at Shanghai No. 2 Intermediate People’s Court on May 16, Chen said: “I had long been unemployed and the pressure pushed me into a corner.”

Prosecutors insisted on giving Chen the death penalty because of his violent cruelty. Chen applied to judges for a lighter punishment, demonstrating his remorse. Chen said:

“I know what I did was disgusting, and brought irretrievable damage to the victims and their families,”
“I dare not to hope for forgiveness from them, but I sincerely apologize to them.”

Wang Qian’en also said that Chen’s behavior was mainly attributed to his poverty. Wang said:

“He could have finished his schooling and had a relatively good future if not for his poor family,”
“This makes him different from other criminals.”

Wang called for more help to assist the families in educating their children. Wang said:

“Many of these people who have returned to the city are poor, society should help them care for their children,”
“he added.”

Zeng Mian, a prosecutor, asked the court to impose the strongest penalty. Zeng said:

“Chen’s behaviour has become a threat to the society and brought panic to ordinary people,”
“His cruelty showed no sympathy, which makes him no different from other gangsters.”

Zeng said robbery is the most serious offence to others’ property, and authorities have long insisted on severely cracking down on such crimes.

Wu Chaofu walked into the courtroom to provide his testimony. On Wednesday, May 22, Chen was sentenced to death by the Shanghai No.2 Intermediate People’s Court, after 16 working days.

Chen was escorted to court on May 16, 2002.

Sentencing

On May 21, 2002, Chen Zhaofeng was sentenced to death. On Wednesday, May 22, the Shanghai No.2 Intermediate People’s Court sentenced him to death after 16 working days.

Outcome

Chen Zhaofeng was executed on May 23, 2002, in “Yao Lan - Shanghai Star May 23, 2002,” as reflected in the case status.

Other details

Chen said: “I had long been unemployed and the pressure pushed me into a corner.”

Chen said: “The depressed and destitute young man resorted to drinking as an outlet.”

Chen said: “I began to use hammers and had bought three in all.”