Chun Xu convicted of murder and attempted murder
Written by Gavin on 9th November 2021
#GUILTY | Chun Xu convicted of murder and attempted murder
He will be sentenced this Friday…
Chun Xu has been found guilty of murdering 16 year-old Wenjing Lin and attempting to murder her step-father, Yongquan Jiang.
The 32 year-old who lived in Merthyr Tydfil was convicted at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Tuesday, November 9 (2021)
The offences were committed at the Blue Sky Takeaway on Baglan Street, Treorchy on Friday, 5 March, 2021.
Xu had visited his teenage victim’s family on March 4 and spent the evening with them. The court heard that Xu was seeking revenge over a money debt that he owed the family. He had gambled away money given to him by Wenjing Lin’s mother which he was meant to send home to a mutual friend in China.
The following day, on March 5, he murdered Wenjing by strangling her and left her laying on the floor by the counter of the shop.
He then lured her step-father into the basement where he stabbed him multiple times with two knives before turning a knife on himself.
Our investigation proved that Xu’s actions were premeditated when officers seized his phone. Officers discovered he had used internet search engines to find out if fingerprints could be damaged by fire just hours before the attacks. Officers also proved Xu had taken a knife with him to the premises.
Chun Xu had pleaded not guilty to murder, attempted murder and wounding with intent, but pleaded guilty to manslaughter and unlawful wounding.
But he was tried for murder and attempted murder by the Crown Prosecution Service.
Earlier today, the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict on all charges, after which the judge told the defendant that he is facing life imprisonment when he is sentenced this Friday (November 12).
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Mark Lewis:
“On behalf of South Wales Police, I am pleased that the trial has resulted in the successful conviction of Chun Xu for the murder of Wenjing and for the attempted murder of Yongquan Jiang. The evidence gathered and heard in this case demonstrated that this was a pre-meditated and callous murder of an innocent, bright, talented and loved 16 year-old girl and a brutal attack on her step-father with an obvious attempt to kill him.
“During our investigation it became clear how popular and well-loved Wenjing was by all who knew her. This incident brought shock to the close knit communities of Treorchy and Treherbert and has been devastating for Wenjing’s family and friends.
“My over-riding thoughts today are with Wenjing’s mum who has lost her loving daughter who I know was also her closest friend. I hope that this conviction will help in some way but I also know that the days, months and years ahead will be extremely difficult.
“I want to thank the community for their support and assistance, both at the time of the incident and during the investigation which followed. I would also like to pay tribute to the diligence of the Crown Prosecution Service and Counsel, and the officers and staff in my investigation team for the outstanding professionalism and tenacity shown to bring this case to justice.”
Following today’s guilty verdict at the trial of Chun Xu for the murder of Wenjing Lin and her stepfather, Yongquan Jiang, Wenjing’s mum bravely shared these words and paid tribute to her daughter and to the local community who have been so supportive since her tragic loss:
My beautiful daughter has gone, and I can never forgive you.
I have lost my beloved daughter, my everything.
She cared for my husband and I, helping us to communicate with English speakers .
My husband was a very strong and fit young man who had never felt tired before this vicious brutal attack. He has severe mental and physical injuries from the brutal attack and now he even struggles to work, often suffering nightmares – seeing Wenjing lying on the floor by the counter in the reception area on that horrible day. The treatment he must receive from the hospital will go on for a long time and his scars will remain forever.
My daughter’s school and friends miss her so much, I know they are suffering from the pain and the loss of their best friend. They will never recover.
Before that awful day, she was a happy girl who loved spending time with her friends and was enjoying school. We visited the school to speak with them – my daughter had passed all her GCSEs with A* but she will never know her results that she worked so hard for. I am so proud of her achievements. She loved school so much – her teachers called her the model student.
I am still not able to comprehend why you would do this to her. I cry every day and watch videos of her to feel close to her and hear her voice.
Our lives have been turned upside down. I cannot imagine my life without her – she was my only child and you have broken our hearts forever.
I have to begin counselling to help me but nothing will ever take away the pain that you caused.
I am so thankful and touched all support given to us by the school, the local community, our friends, the crown prosecution service, and the police have provided to us. We are so relieved that justice has been done and that he is being punished for what he did.
I hope there will never be another innocent victim like Wenjing.