CHINA: THREE SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR KILLING TAX OFFICIAL, FAMILY

November 9, 2011: three people were sentenced to death for killing a tax official and three of his family members in southwest China, local authorities said.
The murders happened on May 2 in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region at the tax official's house.
Zhou Zixiong, 44, director of the local tax bureau of Babu district, was found dead along with his wife, his teenage son and daughter, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
 Ling Xiaojuan, the younger sister of Zhou's 47-year-old wife Ling Xiaoyun, was identified as the ringleader by authorities. She convinced her niece and the niece's boyfriend to participate in the killings, according to a court statement.
The statement added that Ling Xiaojuan had held a grudge against her sister related to family financial issues and responsibilities. She was also allegedly envious of her sister's family's property.
The three said they will appeal to a higher court. (Sources: Channel6newsonline.com, 10/11/2011)