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Zhimin Yang came to New Zealand in search of a better life, but the man she moved with from China was convicted of her murder.
A jury found Manchao Li guilty of murdering his ex-wife, also known as Jennifer, after stabbing her to death in broad daylight while waiting for a bus in Massey, West Auckland, on July 29, 2019.
On Tuesday, after 6.5 hours of deliberations, Li was found guilty of murder and also of violating a protection order. He was described as “obsessed” and “obsessed” with getting revenge after a property dispute after his divorce.
Li remained impassive in the dock as the verdict was delivered.
Judge Pheroze Jagose also issued his first attack on Li under the three-attack regime and took him into custody for sentencing in December.
READ MORE:
* Stabbing in West Auckland: Manchao Li intended to kill his ex-wife, says Crown
* Stabbing in West Auckland: Murder defendant was ‘pretty calm’ when he underwent a mental health assessment
* West Auckland stabbing: man admits to injury but has no recollection of incident
* West Auckland stabbing: Witness stopped suspected 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
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 that Li, who had been diagnosed with chronic depression, was in very bad shape at the time of the attack and his long history with mental health indicated this.
LAWRENCE SMITH / THINGS
Forensic personnel examine the scene of the incident in West Auckland. (First published July 2019)
CAME TO NZ FOR A BETTER LIFE
Li and Yang entered into a “fake marriage” in China for immigration purposes before moving to New Zealand in 2000 for a better life.
It wasn’t long before arguments began to cause Yang and her son to leave the home in 2005, the trial heard.
“I was afraid for my mother’s safety, I was too young, and I felt very, very helpless,” Yang’s son said.
In the years leading up to the frenzied attack, Li followed Yang, violated three protection orders, and appeared unannounced at his workplace.
Yang and her son escaped to a friend’s house before the police put them in a safe house, and Li granted them a protection order after he threatened to kill them.
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.
David White / Stuff
Crown prosecutor Nick Webby told jury Monday that they could be sure Manchao Li intended to kill.
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 would become 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 that this was the catalyst.
“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.
Li also admitted not “respecting” the protection order 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.
SET
Over the course of the past two weeks, the court heard evidence from several of Li’s former roommates and others who interacted with him.
Garrick Protheroe told the court that he tried to advise Li not to harm his ex-wife.
“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,” Protheroe said.
While living in the apartment, Li showed Protheroe various weapons, including a compressed air rifle, a hunting knife, and a butcher knife.
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 the Auckland Council transferred her to non-public work to “keep her safe.”
Lawrence Smith / Stuff
Several people tried to save Zihimin Yang, but she died at the scene.
July 29
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.
Crown prosecutor Nick Webby described Li as a “hunter who stalks his prey.”
“Everything he did could be described as task-oriented, focused, and dedicated to the task at hand.”
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.
Kian Tuhiwai and his colleagues froze before seeing the attacker strutting “like he’s proud,” the court heard.
SUPPLIED
Manchao Li, accused of murder, admitted to sending threatening letters and leaving dead animals in a mailbox at the rental property of Zhimin Yang’s children.
Physical therapist Daniel Harvey told the court that he would never forget Yang’s scream as he drove down Westgate Dr and confronted Li.
“He was confrontational, I felt like I had interrupted him and he was angry … The anger in his eyes … I’ll never forget it.”
Harvey tried CPR on Yang, but couldn’t save himself.
Meanwhile, Li had left before another member of the public hit him from behind, took his keys and called the police.
Footage 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.
In Ron Mansfield’s closing speech to the jury, he said that his client was “ill” at the time and that his fragile state of mind was an explanation for his shameless actions before and after death.
The defendant couldn’t think of the consequences when he stabbed his ex-wife, Mansfield said.
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.
- Inot 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)
