章瑩穎案，兇手逃脫死刑

華裔學者被殺案，兇手逃脫死刑

In the U.S. state of Illinois, the dramatic close to a brutal kidnapping and murder case that’s made headlines around the world.

美國伊利諾伊州，這起慘烈的綁架和謀殺案已經成為世界各地的頭條新聞。

Brendt Christensen will spend the rest of his life in jail, spared of the death penalty.

布倫特·克里斯滕森將在監(jiān)獄度過余生，免于死刑。

It is his punishment for what he did to Chinese scholar Zhang Yingying back in 2017.

這是對他在2017年謀殺中國學者章瑩穎的懲罰。

Arriving at Peoria Federal Courthouse one final time Brendt Christensen knew there was a chance the jury would decide his fate this day.

最后一次來到皮奧里亞聯(lián)邦法院，布倫特·克里斯滕森知道陪審團有可能在今天決定他的命運。

And that it did. Having already found Christensen guilty of kidnapping and killing Chinese scholar Zhang Yingying, the jury had to decide whether Christensen would spend the rest of his life behind bars without parole or sentence him to death.

確實如此。陪審團已經認定克里斯滕森犯有綁架和殺害中國學者章瑩穎的罪行，因此必須決定克里斯滕森是在監(jiān)獄里度過余生，不得假釋，還是判處死刑。

After more than eight hours of deliberation, the jury announced they could not reach a unanimous decision. So the lesser sentence was imposed. Christensen’s life would be spared.

經過八個多小時的審議，陪審團宣布他們不能達成一致的決定。所以判刑較輕?？死锼闺纳鼘⒌玫酵炀取?/p>

In the gallery, Christensen’s family hugged and wept in relief.

在走廊里，克里斯滕森的家人擁抱著，松了一口氣哭了起來。

While Zhang's family sat in silence.

而章瑩穎的家人靜靜地坐著。

The U.S. state of Illinois abolished the death penalty in 2011.

美國伊利諾伊州于2011年廢除了死刑。

But as this was being tried in a Federal court, a death sentence could be imposed – but only if jurors unanimously agreed.

但由于這是在聯(lián)邦法院進行的審判，可以判處死刑，但必須得到陪審團一致同意。

Christensen will now spend the rest of his life behind bars without the possibility of parole.

克里斯滕森將在監(jiān)獄里度過余生，不得假釋。

Zhang Yingying disappeared on June 9, 2017. She was last seen getting into Christensen’s black Saturn Astra.

章瑩穎于2017年6月9日失蹤。她最后一次出現(xiàn)是在克里斯滕森的黑色轎車上。

Zhang Yingying's disappearance just over two years ago generated global headlines.

章瑩穎兩年多前的失蹤引發(fā)了全球媒體的關注。

Although this chapter now comes to a close, for Zhang’s family, the pain of Christensen’s actions is not relieved.

雖然這一章已經接近尾聲，但對章瑩穎的家人來說，克里斯滕森的判決并沒有減輕他們的痛苦。

Zhang’s body was never recovered.

章瑩穎的尸體一直沒有找到。

Christensen will now begin his life sentence. He will die in prison.

克里斯滕森現(xiàn)在將開始他的終身監(jiān)禁。他將在監(jiān)獄里死去。

For Zhang’s family, their loss remains immeasurable.

對于章瑩穎的家人來說，他們的損失是無法估量的。