West Auckland stabbing: man jailed for ‘cruel and brutal’ murder of his ex-wife

A man who stabbed his ex-wife in broad daylight on a West Auckland street was sentenced to life in prison for her murder.

Zhimin Yang, also known as Jennifer Yang, came to New Zealand in search of a better life with Manchao Li.

On July 29, 2019, Li stabbed her to death in broad daylight while waiting for a bus in Massey.

On Friday, Judge Pheroze Jagose sentenced Li to life in prison with a minimum of 19 years behind bars.

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He was also convicted of violating a protection order.

During the trial, he was described as “obsessed” and “obsessed” with revenge after a property dispute after his divorce.

The former university professor was stabbed 12 times in less than a minute with a hunting knife. Li admitted that stabbing her just once would have been enough to cause her death.

At the trial, Li testified in his own defense, admitting to causing his death. However, he said that he never intended to kill her.

His lawyers said Li, who was diagnosed with chronic depression, was in very poor condition at the time of the attack and his long history with mental health indicated this.

On Friday, Yang’s son, who has his name permanently deleted, appeared via video link and told the court that Li had destroyed his life and that of his extended family.

Over the past two decades, he and his family learned of Li’s abuse and threats and did everything possible to protect Yang, he said.

“My life will always be full of pain.”

Yang’s son said that Li was always going to kill and wished he had died instead of his mother.

“How much better would it be if I died instead of my mother … a sudden death is better than a slow death that I feel now.”

“I feel guilty every day,” he said.

He said Li was a “very committed murderer” with a detailed plan to take his mother away.

“It was a bloody, cruel, ruthless and brutal murder.”

On Friday, Crown Prosecutor Nick Webby said Li should spend at least 17 years behind bars because of the murder that involved calculated and lengthy planning.

Webby said Li has not shown any remorse for his actions.

Later, Li interrupted the process and demanded that he speak to the judge.

“Lord Li, I will not give you a chance to speak. You must listen to me, ”Judge Jagose said.

Judge Jagose said Li’s own evidence was a “dishonest justification.”

“This [murder] it was totally driven by you despite attempts by her, her family and the authorities to keep her safe from you, ”said Judge Jagose.

After sentencing, Judge Jagose expressed his deepest condolences to Yang’s son and the extended family.

“I was very aware of his presence throughout the heartbreaking trial … I would like to congratulate him on his dignity and endurance.”

After each witness presented their testimony, Yang’s son would leave the courtroom and thank them.

Outside of court, Detective Sergeant Ryan Bunting thanked members of the public who tried to save Yang and prevent Li from escaping the police.

He described the murder as senseless and said it shocked the community and deeply affected those who witnessed it.

“She was a beloved mother, sister and daughter who was just trying to live her life. His death is a tragedy and our thoughts and condolences go out to his family at this time, ”said Bunting.

The day of the murder

On July 29, 2019, Yang left his Massey home for the last time.

Li also left his house and waited outside for Yang, following him closely in his car as he walked to his bus stop on Westgate Dr.

Webby previously described Li as a “hunter who stalks his prey.”

Finally, Li parked his car, armed with the hunting knife hidden in a black plastic bag, and threw Yang to the ground from behind.

A nearby drainage layer described hearing screams that sounded like “terror” for “help” and “stop.”

“After the blows, everything was silent and the body went limp,” he said.

Meanwhile, Li had left before another member of the public hit him on the backside, took his keys and called the police.

Video taken from the police Eagle helicopter showed Li was safely arrested at the scene.

When he was evaluated by a psychiatrist after his arrest, Li admitted not taking his anti-depression medication and told Dr. Graham Collins that he had not slept for days.

I came to New Zealand for a better life

Li and Yang moved to New Zealand in 2000 for a better life, but it was not long before arguments began, prompting Yang and her son to leave the home in 2005, the court heard.

“I was afraid for my mother’s safety and I was too young and I felt very, very helpless,” Yang’s son said at the trial.

In the years leading up to the frenzied attack, Li followed Yang, violated three protection orders and appeared unannounced at his workplace, the court heard.

After the Blockhouse Bay property that Yang and Li had owned was sold, Yang was not given much of the proceeds from the sale and was struggling, working two jobs and receiving emergency social assistance, the son said.

Li told the court that it was after 2005 that his mental health deteriorated and he returned to China for a time before returning to Christchurch with his first wife.

“I felt sad with tears and my brain became very confused,” Li said.

There, the couple bought a house in the name of Li’s first wife. However, in 2017, the Christchurch High Court ordered that the proceeds be spilled and half turned over to Yang.

The Crown said this was the catalyst for the assassination.

“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 at the trial. .

Li also admitted not “respecting” the order of protection and said he did not think it was legal as they were not in a “proper marriage”.

“As soon as the protection order was issued, I tried to get rid of it,” Li said.

During the trial, the court heard evidence from several of Li’s former roommates and other people who interacted with him that he was obsessed with causing Yang harm.

“From day one, he was obsessed with the fact that his ex-wife had played him dirty and somehow he was going to get back at her,” said Garrick Protheroe.

While Li lived in the apartment, he showed Protheroe various weapons, including a compressed air rifle, a hunting knife and a butcher knife, the court heard.

The man recalled how Li once spoke of wanting to dismember a part of Yang’s body to remind him of what he had done to him.

Mental health worker Weimiao Maggie Tang also confirmed in court that she worked with Li for his depression and anxiety and also expressed concern to the police that he had threatened his ex-wife.

The court heard how Li appeared in the Massey library where Yang worked and even sent letters to her boss before Auckland City Council transferred her to non-public work to “keep her safe.”

Where to get help

• In a life-threatening situation, call 111.
• If it’s an emergency Click here to find the number of your local crisis assessment team
• Women’s shelter Telephone 0800 REFUGIO (733843)
• Shine Free helpline 0508 744633
• Shakti Crisis Line 0800742584: Offers specialized cultural services for African, Asian and Middle Eastern women and their children.
• menot well Information line 0800456450.
• 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)