Xianyang court acquittal of Zhang Heng takes effect
According to the material, the Qindu District People’s Court in Xianyang acquitted Zhang Heng at first instance on August 7, 2026. The ruling took effect on August 18 after prosecutors did not challenge it. The court found that Shi and others were carrying out an ongoing unlawful intrusion after using a breaker to damage the gates and doors at dawn and entering with weapons. It said Zhang Heng’s response to protect himself and his family’s personal safety and property, although it caused one death, did not clearly exceed the necessary limits and met the requirements for lawful self-defence.
The material says the case occurred on the morning of April 1, 2023, after no agreement was reached on demolition compensation. More than 10 people used a wheeled breaker to damage the gates and doors of Zhang’s home and entered with weapons, leaving Shi dead and three others injured. Zhang had previously been arrested and detained on suspicion of intentional injury before being granted bail on May 25, 2026. The material also says 10 people involved in the demolition were previously convicted of intentional property damage and received sentences ranging from suspended terms to two years in prison.
