Court to rehear murder case after suspect was executed

A court in Inner Mongolia is set to re-hear a rape and murder case, nearly 20 years after an 18-year-old man was executed for the crime.

The 18-year-old Hugjiltu was convicted of raping a woman then choking her to death in April of 1996 and was executed two months later. [Photo: www.baidu.com]

The young man by the name of Hugjiltu was convicted of raping a woman then choking her to death in the regional capital Hohhot in April of 1996.

He was executed 61 days after the woman was killed, despite a lack of evidence against him.

The case has been re-opened after convicted murderer Zhao Zhihong sent a letter to prosecutors back in 2006 claiming to have carried out the deadly attack.

Zhao also confessed to the rape and murder of 10 other women since being arrested nine-years ago.

Li Shengchen is a spokeperson for the regional court in Hohhot.

"We will review the facts in evidence to determine the truth and correct any mistakes that are found for the sake of fairness and justice. As for the date of re-trial, we will have to have a hearing on that first."

Zhao Zhihong is scheduled to be put to death for his previous crimes. However, his execution has been postponed following his latest admission.