Policemen on trial for juvenile death

Five police officers went on trial at a court in Northwest Shannxi Province on Tuesday. The quintet is accused of torturing a high school student from Danfeng County to death, during an interrogation in March. They are also being charged with abuse of power and negligence of duty. Damion Jones has more on this stunning case.

Five police officers went on trial at a court in Northwest Shannxi Province on Tuesday.

19-year-old Xu Gengrong died on his eighth day of police detention. He was suspected of murdering a schoolmate.

Danfeng government office chief said, "On March 8th, at 10:30 A.M., the interrogators found Mr. Xu suddenly showing breathing difficulties and dribbling at the mouth. He was sent to the hospital immediately, but died in spite of medical attention."

After Xu's death, the police department issued a report saying the youth confessed to the murder. But a family member who witnessed the autopsy says the suspect's body was covered with injuries caused by external forces.

Xu's classmate, Wu Ming, was also taken in for questioning by the police.

Xu Gengrong's classmate Wu Ming said, "They began to thrash me after I said I don't know. My nose was beaten until it started bleeding."