[ad_1]
David White / Stuff
Manchao Li denies murdering his ex-wife. He is being tried in the Auckland High Court.
A man accused of stabbing his ex-wife to death has admitted to inflicting the injuries, but says he has no recollection of the incident.
Manchao Li, 65, denies murdering Zhimin Yang, also known as Jennifer, at Massey in West Auckland in July 2019.
He has also denied violating a protection order that prevented him from contacting his ex-wife, a former university professor who came to New Zealand in search of a better life.
The Crown’s case is that Li was obsessed with getting revenge on Yang for a property dispute after the couple divorced.
READ MORE:
* Stabbing in West Auckland: Witness prevented alleged killer from walking away, court hears
* Stabbing in West Auckland: murder charged with leaving dead animals and threatening tenants in rent
* West Auckland stabbing: ‘I was going to kill her’, ex-roommate of alleged killer tells court
West Auckland stabbing: Manchao Li obsessed with getting revenge on his ex-wife, says Crown
On Thursday, Sam Wimsett opened the defense case to the jury, saying Li accepted that he stabbed Yang and that it caused his death, but that he does not remember the day.
LAWRENCE SMITH / THINGS
Forensic personnel review the scene of the incident in West Auckland. (First published July 2019)
He accepted that he had bought a knife, but did not accept that he intended to kill, Wimsett said.
“It is no secret in this trial that he has significant mental health problems, he is not well,” said the lawyer.
Li took the stand at Auckland High Court on Thursday.
With the help of an interpreter, he told the court that he and Yang had met in China at a time when Chinese families were seeking to send their children abroad for a better life.
He said that they were both married to other people but decided to get into a fake marriage as part of an agreement to move to New Zealand.
David White / Stuff
Defense attorney Sam Wimsett told the jury that Manchao Li has “significant mental health problems.”
Yang’s college grades and her role as a former teacher meant she was able to obtain residency more easily, she said.
In 2004, Li received New Zealand citizenship or residency and about a year later the couple separated, he told the court.
Li told the court that there was an agreement between the couple to divide their assets and finances in half, but that did not happen.
“She felt that the money I paid her was not enough,” Li said.
“To be honest it was my fault, I regret this matter so far. If I paid him this money, everything would be fine. “
Li said that after that, his mental health deteriorated. He suffered from depression and returned to China for a short time.
“I was feeling sad from tears and my brain was getting very confused.”
Later, Li and his first wife returned to New Zealand and bought a house in Christchurch.
In 2015, Li lost a property dispute against Yang in Family Court and then again in Christchurch Superior Court.
In the following years, Li said he was hospitalized for having “mental breakdowns.”
He told the court that he did not want to continue living: “I felt desperate, I lost hope.”
In the months before Yang’s death, Li was not taking his medication, he said.
But when asked by Wimsett if he had thoughts of hurting his ex-wife, Li said no.
SUPPLIED
Manchao Li, accused of murder, admitted to wrecking a tenant’s car on the property of Zhimin Yang’s son.
He said he didn’t know why he wanted to go see his ex-wife on the day of her death.
“Maybe just to have a look at it and then I’d go off and do other business,” Li said.
“I never really thought of hurting her or maybe using [a] knife to stab her. “
The defendant told the court that he does not remember the incident.
However, when asked by Wimsett if he agreed to stab Yang, Li replied, “I agree because a lot of people saw it, so it must be a fact.”
The trial continues.
Where to get help
- 1737, do you need to talk? Call toll free or text 1737 to speak with a trained counselor
- Kidsline 0800 54 37 54 for people up to 18 years old. Open 24/7
- Life line 0800 543 354
- Rural support trust 0800 787 254
- Samaritans 0800 726 666
- Suicide Crisis Helpline 0508 828865 (0508 SUPPORT)
- Youthline 0800 376 633, free text 234, email [email protected], or find online chat and other support options here.
- Anxiety New Zealand 0800 ANXIETY (0800 269 4389)
- If it is an emergency, Click here to find the number for your local crisis assessment team.
- In a life-threatening situation, call 111.
