Our reporter (Wang Penghao) -- After Hou and her husband Zhang divorced in order to gain more benefits from the demolition, Hou often worried that her husband was playing along with the fake divorce too well. To prove his "loyalty", Zhang cut off one of his fingers, but unfortunately, his wife developed feelings for his friend Yu instead. After being rejected by her lover, Hou bore a grudge and incited her "foolishly loyal" ex-husband to set fire to Yu's house. Yesterday, Tongzhou Procuratorate revealed that Zhang and Hou were sentenced to 3 and 4 years in prison respectively for arson.
The divorced wife suspects her husband has a new love interest
Zhang lives in Xijicun Village in Tongzhou and makes a living driving a taxi. In late 2002, Hou heard that Tongzhou would be undergoing old village renovations and large-scale demolitions, so she wanted to fake a divorce with her husband in order to gain more benefits in the future. Hou persuaded her husband, saying that he was at risk of danger while working outside and if anything happened, he would have to pay a lot of compensation, but a divorce would protect her and their son's assets. Zhang, who always followed his wife's advice, readily agreed, and soon they finalized their divorce but continued living together.
After the divorce, Zhang did not receive any good news about the demolition housing allocation, but instead found himself caught in frequent marital disputes. Hou often worried that her husband was faking the divorce too convincingly. Whenever Zhang showed even a hint of coldness or low spirits, she assumed he had another woman outside and would start yelling and making a fuss. During one heated argument, to prove his "loyalty", Zhang was provoked by Hou into cutting off his right index finger, which temporarily calmed her anger. However, this peace didn't last long. In 2008, due to poor business, Zhang became depressed again. Hou suspected him of having an affair and started yelling and making a fuss again. Helpless, Zhang moved out and rented a place with his friend Yu.
Inciting arson to take revenge on her lover
After living separately, Hou still visited Zhang frequently, but their arguments continued. Every time they argued, Yu would try to mediate, and gradually, Hou and Yu developed feelings for each other, all while Zhang remained unaware. One day, Zhang and Hou got into another big fight over trivial matters, and in a fit of rage, Zhang accidentally injured her, causing her eardrum to perforate. Determined to be with Yu, Hou insisted on reporting the incident to the police and refused mediation. Eventually, Zhang was sentenced to detention. While Zhang was in the detention center, Hou and Yu confirmed their relationship as lovers.
Upon his release, Zhang discovered the truth and confronted Yu, asking him not to "interfere" in their marriage. Yu promised not to have further contact with Hou. Unwilling to let go, Hou tried repeatedly to win Yu back but failed, and thus harbored thoughts of revenge. She approached her ex-husband and lied, claiming that she still loved him and only "strayed" because of Yu's temptation. Her words immediately incited Zhang's hatred towards Yu, and he readily agreed to help her take revenge by setting fire to Yu's house. Last November, after buying gasoline from a gas station, Zhang and Hou sneaked to Yu's house and set it on fire. A neighbor discovered the fire and called the police. Subsequently, after reviewing surveillance footage from the gas station, the officers arrested the two.
In court, Hou scolded her ex-husband for contradicting her testimony
According to the prosecutor, during several interrogations in the detention center, Zhang admitted to setting the fire but appeared very despondent. Due to Zhang's usual kindness, before the trial, his taxi company and fellow villagers wrote a joint letter requesting leniency in his sentencing. During the trial, Zhang voluntarily confessed to his crimes, while Hou, sitting beside him, was extremely agitated. She denied purchasing gasoline and claimed that the arson had nothing to do with her. She also loudly scolded her husband, urging him to align his answers with hers.
After reviewing the case, Tongzhou Court ruled last week that Zhang was guilty of arson and sentenced him to three years in prison, while Hou was sentenced to four years in prison.