1st LD Writethru: Man found guilty, sentenced for murder of Chinese businesswoman in Madrid

The Madrid Provincial Court on Friday found a man guilty of shooting and killing a Chinese businesswoman and sentenced him to over 15 years in prison.

Israel Reyes Romero was sentenced to 15 years, six months and one day in prison for the murder of Chen Juan in her shop in the presence of her eight-year-old son.

As well as the prison term, Reyes Romero, 38, also has to pay fines totaling 270,000 euros (around 286,000 U.S. dollars) to Chen's husband Keyi Zhu and her son, who have since returned to live in their homeland.

Regional prosecutors had originally requested a 23-year-prison sentence for Reyes Romero, while Chen's family has asked for a penalty of 27 years and six months in jail plus compensation of 220,000 euros, claiming the incident had "done great damage," to the family.

A representative from the Chinese Embassy, Zhu Jian, said after leaving the courtroom that all citizens, including those of Chinese origin, should use the law to protect their legal rights.

Ji Yihong, the lawyer representing the victim's family, said the case was an important example for Chinese people who need to protect their rights and interests through legal means.

The shooting incident happened in the Madrid district of Moratalaz on Feb. 2, 2014, when Chen was working in the family shop and Reyes Romero entered carrying a revolver and demanded she give him the 277.88 euros in the till.

Chen refused to hand the money over and in the ensuing struggle, Reyes Romero put his gun to the side of her head and pulled the trigger, killing her almost instantly.

When the trial opened on March 24, Reyes Romero admitted to the shooting but said he remembered nothing about the incident as he had been under the influence of drugs.

That defense led to the trial being adjourned when medical reports were compiled over his condition and only resumed this week. Endit