On March 18 Li Shuting and Chen Guangwu, attorneys in Nie Shubin's case, got into the Higher People's Court of Shandong Province to review the case files.

They were allowed to take pictures and make photo copies of all the original materials in the case, which included 17 files. Lawyer Li Shuting thinks that according to the review, a tentative judgment can be made that "a serious procedural error was made in Nie's case," according to the Beijing News.

Nie Shubin was executed in 1995, when he was 20, for allegedly raping and killing a woman. His case became a focus of media attention because he was tried behind closed doors and Nie told a lawyer that he was beaten into a confession in jail.

Although this is an initial judgment from the appealing lawyer, it is based on existing doubts including a lack of key evidence, lack of written investigation records and "false testimony."

For example, the lawyer disclosed that page 136 of the investigation file includes only Nie Shubin's oral confession and the testimony of an on-site witness. No objective evidence such as semen stains and DNA tests was included. This proves the speculation that the chain of evidence in this doubtful rape and homicide case was incomplete.

Nie's case went through a complicated procedure. The appealing lawyer had difficulties gaining access to the case files, preventing the exercise of legal rights. Thus, justice was placed under doubt. The Supreme Court has now ordered the Higher Court of Shandong Province to review the case, and also clearly indicated that lawyers' right of access to case files will guaranteed.

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