Outrage as Man Avoids Murder Trial in Deaths of Two Sex Workers

Xiaozheng Lin pleads guilty to manslaughter, sparking anger among advocates and concerns about justice for sex workers.

Xiaozheng Lin, a 24-year-old plasterer, pleaded guilty to manslaughter for the deaths of Yuqi Luo and Hyun Sook Jeon in December 2022.
The plea deal means Lin will face a significantly reduced sentence compared to the standard for murder, causing outrage among sex worker advocates.
Advocates argue the plea deal undermines the value of sex workers' lives and reflects societal stigma against them.
Lin, who had gambling debts, killed and robbed the women, with evidence found linking him to both crime scenes.
The sentencing for Lin is expected within the next two weeks, with concerns about the precedent this case might set for future violence against women.