Gu Kailai Sentenced to Suspended Death in High-Profile Poisoning Case 📰

EDIT CONTAINS 4:3 MATERIAL<br/> <br />Gu Kailai, wife of ousted Chinese politician Bo Xilai, has been given a suspended death sentence for poisoning British businessman Neil Heywood.<br/> <br />A court spokesperson read the verdict.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) TANG YIGAN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HEFEI INTERMEDIATE PEOPLE'S COURT SAYING:<br/> <br />"The court determined that Gu Kailai is guilty of murder and sentenced her to death with a two year reprieve, with her political rights revoked for the remainder of her life."<br/> <br />Gu admitted to the crime earlier this month saying Heywood had threatened her son after she and Heywood argued over business matters.<br/> <br />Gu's sentence means she is expected to face life in jail if she doesn't commit any offences in the next two years.<br/> <br />The lawyer for Neil Heywood's family said his clients respect the courts decision.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) HE ZHENGSHENG, LAWYER REPRESENTING MURDER VICTIM BRITISH BUSINESSMAN NEIL HEYWOOD'S FAMILY, SAYING:<br/> <br />"Thank you very much for your attention, media friends. As I already said at the hearing, we respect the court's decision. Thank you everyone."<br/> <br />Gu's husband Bo, who was up for a top spot in China's next Communist Party leadership, is currently being investigated for alleged violations of party discipline.<br/> <br />After party leadership decides on those charges, he could face criminal charges related to the murder case.