Lin Senhao, former medical student who poisoned his roommate. (Photo/China Daily)
On the afternoon of April 2, Huang was shown to have impaired liver function and hospitalized. He was admitted to the intensive care unit due to his worsening condition on April 3.
Lin did not confess, even when questioned by the police, until April 12, when the police interrogated him after confirming suspicions.
Huang died on April 16 of acute liver failure due to N-Nitrosodimethylamine poisoning followed by multiple organ failure, according to forensic analysis.
CASE OF SEVERE TOXICITY
The chief judge in charge of the case verification said that the decision was made after an SPC collegial panel reviewed all case documents, questioned Lin and heard opinions from his defence counsel. The panel also addressed key doubts raised by the defense counsel and consulted professional institutions.
The SPC said it had approved requests from Lin and his relatives to appoint new defense attorneys after formally accepting the verification request on Jan. 30 this year, adding that it had fully ensured the lawyers' legal rights, including allowing them access to case documents.
Denying the claim that samples of Huang's water, cup and urine collected by his schoolmates might have been contaminated, the judge said the samples were first used by the hospital for Huang's diagnosis and treatment, and later transferred to the police for investigation via normal procedures.
Citing SPC inquiries, the judge noted that the sample collectors, all postgraduates in the medical profession, had knowledge of proper procedures and used sterile equipment.
According to the SPC, multiple experts, organized by a designated Shanghai forensic center, conducted a new autopsy and pathological examinations, confirming poisoning as the cause of Huang's death. Experts also ruled out the possibility that the amount of poison was not fatal or that Huang might have died from complications caused by other diseases.
The SPC held that Lin, with full knowledge of the chemical's toxicity, placed high doses of it in the water dispenser.
After the victim was hospitalized, Lin concealed the truth and lied, even after Huang was admitted to the ICU, showing a clear intent to kill. Lin committed the crime of intentional homicide, the SPC said.
Lin deliberately took concealed means to kill the victim with medical knowledge over a grudge. The crime was abominable and the consequences grave, the SPC said.
The SPC upheld the verdicts from the first and second trials, which had clear facts, valid and adequate evidence, an accurate conviction, appropriate sentences, and lawful trial procedures.
