A brief Chinese-language report by China’s official press agency Xinhua News Agency on July 26 stated that Gu Kailai, the wife of ousted Chinese politician and “princeling” Bo Xilai, has been charged with the murder of British businessman Neil Heywood. The report is the first official news of the case proceeding since the investigation announcement three months ago.
According to a Reuters report, Shen Zhigeng, a partner at Beijing-based Zong Heng Law Firm, has been retained by Gu’s family as defense lawyer. Shen told Reuters that trial dates are likely to be on August 7 or 8, and that Gu and Zhang could face the death penalty.
