China executed a notorious female serial killer by death penalty on Monday (Dec 18) who was accused of killing seven people in different cities.

The woman, named Lao Rongzhi, was executed in Nanchang, East China’s Jiangxi Province, reported the state-run communist party’s mouthpiece Global Times.

The woman engaged in a series of crimes, including robbery, extortion, and the brutal murder of seven individuals, between 1996 and 1999.

According to reports, while Lao would pick targets at entertainment venues, her boyfriend Fa Ziying used to kill them.

The woman spent 20 years on the run, evading authorities using aliases. Finally, she was arrested in the Fujian province in 2019 and charged with the crimes of intentional homicide, robbery and kidnapping in August 2020.

<h2>Lao’s appeal rejected by High People's Court</h2>

Last year, Lao was given the death penalty by the Intermediate People's Court of Nanchang, Jiangxi, a decision she contested in the Jiangxi Provincial High People's Court.

In August this year, the hearing of the case took place and the high court upheld the death sentence.

Lao had all her political rights stripped and properties confiscated as a result of the verdict.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/chinas-economic-woes-deepen-as-private-sector-struggles-with-challenges-surrounding-unemployment-670754">Also read:&nbsp;China`s economic woes deepen as private sector struggles with challenges surrounding unemployment</a>

The court found that Lao and her ex-boyfriend intentionally and illegally took the lives of others; used violence or threats to gain illegal possession of others' property; and kidnapped others to extort money or property.

<h2>Lao’s arguments</h2>

During the trial, Lao claimed that she was a victim of her boyfriend, who allegedly used to torture her. She claimed that she even thought of committing suicide after being continuously beaten by him.

Later, she also tendered an apology to the families of her victims.

<h2>Death penalty&nbsp;in China</h2>

An Amnesty International report earlier this year revealed that China, along with Iran and Saudi Arabia, accounted for the vast majority of known judicial executions last year.

Watch:&nbsp;China gets its forces space combat-ready

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While the human rights group did not reveal a precise number for China, it said “thousands of executions” were carried out in 2022 by the Chinese government, which maintains a zero-tolerance approach towards any kind of political dissent.

(With inputs from agencies)

China executed a notorious female serial killer by death penalty on Monday (Dec 18) who was accused of killing seven people in different cities. The woman, named Lao Rongzhi, was executed in Nanchang, East China’s Jiangxi Province, reported the state-run communist party’s mouthpiece Global Times.

China executed a notorious female serial killer by death penalty on Monday (Dec 18) who was accused of killing seven people in different cities. The woman, named Lao Rongzhi, was executed in Nanchang, East China’s Jiangxi Province, reported the state-run communist party’s mouthpiece Global Times. The woman engaged in a series of crimes, including robbery, extortion, and the brutal murder of seven individuals, between 1996 and 1999. According to reports, while Lao would pick targets at entertainment venues, her boyfriend Fa Ziying used to kill them. The woman spent 20 years on the run, evading authorities using aliases. Finally, she was arrested in the Fujian province in 2019 and charged with the crimes of intentional homicide, robbery and kidnapping in August 2020. Lao’s appeal rejected by High People's Court Last year, Lao was given the death penalty by the Intermediate People's Court of Nanchang, Jiangxi, a decision she contested in the Jiangxi Provincial High People's Court. In August this year, the hearing of the case took place and the high court upheld the death sentence. Lao had all her political rights stripped and properties confiscated as a result of the verdict. Also read: China`s economic woes deepen as private sector struggles with challenges surrounding unemployment The court found that Lao and her ex-boyfriend intentionally and illegally took the lives of others; used violence or threats to gain illegal possession of others' property; and kidnapped others to extort money or property. Lao’s arguments During the trial, Lao claimed that she was a victim of her boyfriend, who allegedly used to torture her. She claimed that she even thought of committing suicide after being continuously beaten by him. Later, she also tendered an apology to the families of her victims. Death penalty in China An Amnesty International report earlier this year revealed that China, along with Iran and Saudi Arabia, accounted for the vast majority of known judicial executions last year. Watch: China gets its forces space combat-ready × While the human rights group did not reveal a precise number for China, it said “thousands of executions” were carried out in 2022 by the Chinese government, which maintains a zero-tolerance approach towards any kind of political dissent. (With inputs from agencies)

China executes notorious female serial killer for brutally killing seven people

A federal jury sentenced Robert Bowers for killing 11 people at Pittburgh's Tree of Life synagogue in 2018. It was the first federal death penalty under US President Joe Biden's tenure.

A federal jury sentenced Robert Bowers for killing 11 people at Pittburgh's Tree of Life synagogue in 2018. It was the first federal death penalty under US President Joe Biden's tenure. On 27 October 2018, Robert Bowers, a truck driver, walked into the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and shot 11 worshippers. He then surrendered to the police after he was shot and wounded. The court charged Robert Bowers, then 46, with 63 federal counts, including 11 each of obstruction of free exercise of religion and hate crime resulting in death. The federal court convicted him on all counts on 16 June 2023, nearly five years after the shooting. The date of Robert Bowers' federal execution is 2 August 2023. The bar will reconvene on 4 August 2023 to formally hand down the federal execution. Robert Bowers Posted Antisemitic Comments Online According to the investigators, months before the shooting, Bowers was sharing bigoted and antisemitic comments online. He posted racist memes, called immigrants 'invaders' and accused the Jewish community of being enemies of the white people. He posted a message to a web forum on the day of the shooting. It said, "I can't stand by and watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics. I'm going in." Police found 21 weapons registered to Robert Bowers' name. They also reviewed Bowers' online presence on Gab, a free speech-oriented, right-wing social media platform. He posted several hate comments on Gab, and his bio said, "Jews are the children of Satan." His posts included anti-Jewish slurs and conspiracy theories, reported New York Times. ALSO READ | US man found guilty of murdering 10-month-old stepson 'I just want to kill Jews,' said Bowers After being shot and wounded at the synagogue, Robert Bowers said, "These people are committing genocide on my people. I just want to kill Jews." His defence argued that the quotation should've been barred from consideration at his trial, saying he made the statement before reading his Miranda warning. However, a judge denied the motion. According to court records, the defence filed a notice of mental infirmity, claiming Bowers had schizophrenia and epilepsy. His attorneys also offered a paid deal in exchange for the death penalty removal, but prosecutors did not accept the offer. However, the prosecution's expert witness, Dr Park Dietz, said Bowers suffered no delusions that would've called into question his intent to kill the worshippers at the synagogue. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Who is Robert Bowers? Pittsburgh synagogue mass shooter sentenced to death for killing 11 people

India may soon review if 'hanging by death' is the correct mode of execution for the death row convicts. The development comes after the Supreme Court of India, while taking up a six-year-old Public Interest Litigation (PIL), expressed the need to examine whether 'hanging by death' is a proportionate and less painful method for executing death row convicts. It sought "better data" from the Union government on issues related to the mode of execution.&nbsp;

At the end of 2022, a total of 53 countries have retained capital punishment, including India, United States, South Africa, all countries in West Asia and some countries in South-East Asia as well as western Africa.

In March 2020, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nirbhaya-case-convicts-hanged-at-delhis-tihar-jail-287470">India executed four individuals</a> convicted for brutal sexual assault of a 22-year-old paramedical student in New Delhi in 2012, that came to be known as 'Nirbhaya case' or '16 December case', after the date of&nbsp;the crime. The four convicts in Nirbhaya case&nbsp;were the last persons to be executed in India.

<h2>India capital punishment method rejig: What did the Supreme Court say?</h2>

On March 21, a Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said, "We will look at two perspectives: first, is there any alternative method, far more consistent with human dignity, to render 'hanging by the neck' unconstitutional; and second, even if there is no alternative method, does 'hanging by the neck' method satisfy the test of proportionality so as to render it valid, an issue that was not addressed in the Deena judgement at all."

The court also ruled out shooting by firing squad as an alternative to hanging till death method of capital punishment.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: US botched 35% of execution attempts this year

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It also ruled out electric chair or lethal injection as alternative methods for execution, saying reports indicate convicts experiencing severe pain and there are many instances of goof up.&nbsp;

<h2>India's death penalty methods: The law and relevant court judgment</h2>

In 1983, India's Supreme Court, in a case called 'Deena Vs Union of India, validated Section 354 (5) of Criminal Procedure Code, which lays out the method for executing a convict's death penalty. The relevant part reads: "When any person is sentenced to death, the sentence shall direct that he be hanged by the neck till he is dead." 
 
Incidentally, the 1983 judgement was headed by then Chief Justice of India Y.V. Chandrachud, father of present CJI&nbsp;D.Y. Chandrachud who pointed out the supposed inconsistencies of 1983 judgement with respect to human dignity of a death row convict.

<h2>India's death penalty method: What next?</h2>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government will place before the Supreme Court the government's view on the matter by the end of May.&nbsp;

The Public Interest Litigation filed in 2017 seeks to abolish the present practice of execution and replace it with less painful methods such as "intravenous lethal injection, shooting, electrocution or gas chamber". 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

India may soon review if 'hanging by death' is the correct mode of execution for the death row convicts. The development comes after the Supreme Court of India, while taking up a six-year-old Public Interest Litigation (PIL), expressed the need to examine whether 'hanging by death' is a proportionate and less painful method for executing death row convicts.

India may soon review if 'hanging by death' is the correct mode of execution for the death row convicts. The development comes after the Supreme Court of India, while taking up a six-year-old Public Interest Litigation (PIL), expressed the need to examine whether 'hanging by death' is a proportionate and less painful method for executing death row convicts. It sought "better data" from the Union government on issues related to the mode of execution. At the end of 2022, a total of 53 countries have retained capital punishment, including India, United States, South Africa, all countries in West Asia and some countries in South-East Asia as well as western Africa. In March 2020, India executed four individuals convicted for brutal sexual assault of a 22-year-old paramedical student in New Delhi in 2012, that came to be known as 'Nirbhaya case' or '16 December case', after the date of the crime. The four convicts in Nirbhaya case were the last persons to be executed in India. India capital punishment method rejig: What did the Supreme Court say? On March 21, a Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said, "We will look at two perspectives: first, is there any alternative method, far more consistent with human dignity, to render 'hanging by the neck' unconstitutional; and second, even if there is no alternative method, does 'hanging by the neck' method satisfy the test of proportionality so as to render it valid, an issue that was not addressed in the Deena judgement at all." The court also ruled out shooting by firing squad as an alternative to hanging till death method of capital punishment. ALSO WATCH | Gravitas: US botched 35% of execution attempts this year × It also ruled out electric chair or lethal injection as alternative methods for execution, saying reports indicate convicts experiencing severe pain and there are many instances of goof up. India's death penalty methods: The law and relevant court judgment In 1983, India's Supreme Court, in a case called 'Deena Vs Union of India, validated Section 354 (5) of Criminal Procedure Code, which lays out the method for executing a convict's death penalty. The relevant part reads: "When any person is sentenced to death, the sentence shall direct that he be hanged by the neck till he is dead." Incidentally, the 1983 judgement was headed by then Chief Justice of India Y.V. Chandrachud, father of present CJI D.Y. Chandrachud who pointed out the supposed inconsistencies of 1983 judgement with respect to human dignity of a death row convict. India's death penalty method: What next? Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government will place before the Supreme Court the government's view on the matter by the end of May. The Public Interest Litigation filed in 2017 seeks to abolish the present practice of execution and replace it with less painful methods such as "intravenous lethal injection, shooting, electrocution or gas chamber". WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India's top court rules out lethal injection as alternative to hanging method of capital punishment

According to reports, Iran has sentenced a former top defence officer Ali Reza Akbari to death, after being found guilty of espionage for the United Kingdom.

Iran sentences ex-deputy defence minister to death

A Japanese court on Monday sentenced a man to death for the 2016 murder of 19 disabled people at a care home, one of the country's worst mass killings.

Satoshi Uematsu, a former employee of the facility, never disputed his involvement in the grisly stabbing rampage, but his lawyers entered a plea of not guilty, arguing the 30-year-old was suffering a "mental disorder" linked to his use of marijuana.

Chief judge Kiyoshi Aonuma dismissed that argument and ruled Uematsu deserved no leniency over the horrifying attack, which shocked the country.

"The lives of 19 people were taken away. This is profoundly grave," he told the court.&nbsp;

Uematsu planned the murders and had "an extreme intention to kill", the judge said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/19-dead-25-wounded-in-knife-attack-on-disabled-care-centre-in-tokyo-3240">19 dead, 25 wounded in knife attack on disabled care centre in Tokyo</a>

Prosecutors sought the death penalty, which in Japan is implemented by hanging, arguing Uematsu was capable of taking responsibility for what they said was an "inhumane" attack at the Tsukui Yamayuri-en centre in Sagamihara town, just outside Tokyo.

Uematsu's behaviour in court, including apparently trying to put something in his mouth, disrupted proceedings at the first hearing in January, with the judge calling a recess and then resuming without him.

But he was impassive on Monday as the verdict was announced, looking straight ahead at the judge during the sentencing.

He wore a black suit with his hair in a long ponytail down to his waist, and was flanked by six uniformed court officers wearing surgical masks.

'I hate you so much'

Uematsu, who faced six charges including murder, reportedly said before the trial that he would not appeal any verdict, though he argued he did not deserve the death penalty.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/knife-attackers-house-raided-day-after-japans-worst-mass-killing-in-decades-3346">Knife attacker?s house raided day after Japan's worst mass killing in decades?</a>

He has reportedly said he wanted to eradicate all disabled people in the horrifying attack that also left 26 people wounded.

He turned himself in to police after the assault, carrying bloodied knives, and it later emerged he had left his job at the home just months earlier and been forcibly hospitalised after telling colleagues he intended to kill disabled people at the centre.

But he was discharged after just 12 days when a doctor decided he was not a threat. He had also written a letter outlining plans to attack the home, claiming "disabled people only create unhappiness".

Among the few victims to be identified publicly was a 19-year-old woman, Miho, whose mother had said at the court that Uematsu "didn't need a future".

"I hate you so much. I want to rip you apart. Even the most extreme penalty is light for you. I will never forgive you," her mother said before the verdict, according to public broadcaster NHK.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-killing-spree-lasted-2-months-23282">Japan killing spree 'lasted 2 months'</a>

"Please bring back my most precious daughter... You're still alive. It's not fair. It's wrong."

"I demand capital punishment," she added.

No remorse

The trial has been closely watched, and a court spokesman said 1,603 people lined up for 10 seats available for the verdict.

The number of spots was reduced because of rules requiring spectators sit apart to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Uematsu has shown no remorse for the attack, telling Japan's Mainichi Shimbun daily that people with mental disabilities "have no heart", and for them "there's no point in living".

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-death-penalty-demanded-for-man-accused-of-killing-19-disabled-people-281233">Japan: Death penalty demanded for man accused of killing 19 disabled people</a>

"I had to do it for the sake of society," he said.

Uematsu's beliefs shocked Japan, with experts and activists raising questions about whether others might hold similar views.

Japan has been making efforts to increase accessibility particularly in Tokyo ahead of this year's Paralympic Games and activists hailed last year's election of two disabled lawmakers.

But some critics feel the country still falls short of fully integrating people with disabilities.

A Japanese court on Monday sentenced a man to death for the 2016 murder of 19 disabled people at a care home, one of the country's worst mass killings. Satoshi Uematsu, a former employee of the facility, never disputed his involvement in the grisly stabbing rampage, but his lawyers entered a plea of not guilty, arguing the 30-year-old was suffering a "mental disorder" linked to his use of marijuana.

A Japanese court on Monday sentenced a man to death for the 2016 murder of 19 disabled people at a care home, one of the country's worst mass killings. Satoshi Uematsu, a former employee of the facility, never disputed his involvement in the grisly stabbing rampage, but his lawyers entered a plea of not guilty, arguing the 30-year-old was suffering a "mental disorder" linked to his use of marijuana. Chief judge Kiyoshi Aonuma dismissed that argument and ruled Uematsu deserved no leniency over the horrifying attack, which shocked the country. "The lives of 19 people were taken away. This is profoundly grave," he told the court. Uematsu planned the murders and had "an extreme intention to kill", the judge said. Also read: 19 dead, 25 wounded in knife attack on disabled care centre in Tokyo Prosecutors sought the death penalty, which in Japan is implemented by hanging, arguing Uematsu was capable of taking responsibility for what they said was an "inhumane" attack at the Tsukui Yamayuri-en centre in Sagamihara town, just outside Tokyo. Uematsu's behaviour in court, including apparently trying to put something in his mouth, disrupted proceedings at the first hearing in January, with the judge calling a recess and then resuming without him. But he was impassive on Monday as the verdict was announced, looking straight ahead at the judge during the sentencing. He wore a black suit with his hair in a long ponytail down to his waist, and was flanked by six uniformed court officers wearing surgical masks. 'I hate you so much' Uematsu, who faced six charges including murder, reportedly said before the trial that he would not appeal any verdict, though he argued he did not deserve the death penalty. Also see: Knife attacker?s house raided day after Japan's worst mass killing in decades? He has reportedly said he wanted to eradicate all disabled people in the horrifying attack that also left 26 people wounded. He turned himself in to police after the assault, carrying bloodied knives, and it later emerged he had left his job at the home just months earlier and been forcibly hospitalised after telling colleagues he intended to kill disabled people at the centre. But he was discharged after just 12 days when a doctor decided he was not a threat. He had also written a letter outlining plans to attack the home, claiming "disabled people only create unhappiness". Among the few victims to be identified publicly was a 19-year-old woman, Miho, whose mother had said at the court that Uematsu "didn't need a future". "I hate you so much. I want to rip you apart. Even the most extreme penalty is light for you. I will never forgive you," her mother said before the verdict, according to public broadcaster NHK. Also read: Japan killing spree 'lasted 2 months' "Please bring back my most precious daughter... You're still alive. It's not fair. It's wrong." "I demand capital punishment," she added. No remorse The trial has been closely watched, and a court spokesman said 1,603 people lined up for 10 seats available for the verdict. The number of spots was reduced because of rules requiring spectators sit apart to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Uematsu has shown no remorse for the attack, telling Japan's Mainichi Shimbun daily that people with mental disabilities "have no heart", and for them "there's no point in living". Also see: Japan: Death penalty demanded for man accused of killing 19 disabled people "I had to do it for the sake of society," he said. Uematsu's beliefs shocked Japan, with experts and activists raising questions about whether others might hold similar views. Japan has been making efforts to increase accessibility particularly in Tokyo ahead of this year's Paralympic Games and activists hailed last year's election of two disabled lawmakers. But some critics feel the country still falls short of fully integrating people with disabilities.

Man sentenced to death for murder of 19 people at a caring home for disabled