A family in China is still awaiting a verdict after the suspect accused of murdering their 21-year-old daughter in Vancouver went to trial last year.
Ang Li, former boyfriend of Amanda Zhao, was tried in a Beijing court in September for the 2002 murder of Zhao.
The trial lasted only two days and was closed to the public, not an unusual length of time according many Chinese legal experts.
Despite, the trial wrapping up almost one year ago, the Zhao family still waits for answers.
Zhao’s mother, Yang Baoying told CTV News that despite nearly a decade of waiting, she hasn’t given up hope that justice will be served.
“I hope the guilty will get what they deserve,” she said.
In October 2002, Zhao was studying in Vancouver as a foreign exchange student when she went missing.
Zhao’s body was later found stuffed in a suitcase near a lake east of Vancouver. Police confirmed that Zhao was strangled.
Days later, ex-boyfriend Li fled the country for China before police could arrest him.
With no extradition treaty in place, Canadian police could not apprehend Li.
Canadian authorities struggled to get China to work with them in the handling of the high-profile case. China considered the case to be a domestic affair, while Canada disagreed.
Finally, after years of diplomatic negotiations between the two countries, Chinese police arrested Li in 2009.
Canadian authorities agreed to give Chinese police evidence in exchange for a guarantee that Li wouldn’t face the death penalty if convicted.
Li’s trial started in September, nine years after Zhao had been killed.
Throughout the trial Li’s family maintained his innocence, saying their son had been treated unfairly.
Now, almost a year after the trial ended, the Zhao family is still waiting for justice for their daughter.
With a report from CTV’s Beijing Bureau Chief Janis Mackey Frayer
