Trial ends for ex-police chief who divulged murder, triggering China’s messy political scandal

CHENGDU, China – A Chinese court has finished hearing the case of an ex-police chief who fled to a U.S. consulate and divulged a murder. The move triggered a messy public political scandal for China’s leadership just as it prepared for a delicate transfer of power.

The Intermediate People’s Court in Chengdu said it ended the trial of Wang Lijun midday Tuesday, after two half-day sessions. The most explosive charges against Wang were defection and abuse of power and were related to Wang’s unexpected visit to the U.S. Consulate in Chengdu in February.

During his stay, he disclosed that a British businessman had been murdered and that the wife of his boss, senior politician Bo Xilai, was involved. The move led to Bo’s ouster from the leadership and his wife’s conviction for murder.