Huang Yong, a farmer from central China's Henan Province, who was convicted of murdering 17 youths, was sentenced to death Tuesday at the first trial.

A local court in Pingyu County, Huang's hometown, made the decision Tuesday morning and deprived Huang of his political rights.

Huang did not attempt to appeal upon hearing the verdict.

Huang Yong, 29, kidnapped and murdered 17 high school students and injured one, from September 2001. Huang's crime was not even detected by local police until last month, when the 18th student escaped from Huang's home with serious wounds and reported to the police.

Huang was arrested on November 21.

(Xinhua News Agency December 9, 2003)