Desert Rd murder case: ‘naive’ only child helped dispose of man’s body

A culture stemming from China’s one-child policy has been cited as one of the reasons a man felt compelled to help his friends dispose of a murdered man near Desert Rd.

Yuzhen Zhang, 29, was one of four people charged after the remains of Bao Chang Wang, a father of two, were exhumed near Desert Rd.

At Auckland High Court on Wednesday, Zhang was sentenced to six months of house arrest after the court heard that a misguided sense of loyalty motivated his actions.

Civil engineer Zhang admitted to being an accessory to the murder of Wang, known as Ricky.

Wang’s remains were found in March after an elaborate, years-long ruse in which another man told Wang’s family that he was abroad.

On Wednesday, prosecutor David Johnstone told Auckland High Court that both jail time and house arrest would be appropriate sentences for Zhang.

The court previously heard that Zhang learned of Wang’s murder in 2017 and saw the victim’s body.

Zhang and some associates later that month traveled from Auckland to the burial site on Rangipo Intake Rd in the middle of the night in different vehicles.

“As long as you, Mr. Zhang, [were] not involved in his murder, it is important to acknowledge that harm, “said Judge Christian Whata.

“You are a family man, hardworking and confident, but also naive.”

Judge Whata said Zhang was born in China during that country’s one-child policy.

“Close friends have taken on great importance to you.”

Judge Whata said he accepted that Zhang felt something like whanaungatanga, or a feeling of kinship with his associates.

“It was your mistaken feelings of family obligation … that led you to offend.”

Wang’s body was placed in a shallow grave near Rangipo Intake Rd before concrete was poured over it.

Zhang admitted to the accessory charge in October.

The Herald previously reported that Wang’s friend Yanlong Piao helped dispose of his body and told the dead man’s family that Wang was abroad.

Consumed with guilt, Piao finally went to the police and led them to the body.

Piao was sentenced to 14 months in prison in July for being an accessory to the murder.

Whata said Zhang’s offense was less serious than Piao’s.

He said Zhang had good prospects for rehabilitation, little chance of recidivism and no prior convictions.