Law Student Killed His ‘Nagging’ Mother; Fled Out Of Country But Traced Back

A 22-year-old student, who was pressured by his mother to study more, is charged with murdering her at their Adelaide home, informed the South Australian Supreme Court.

The Law student, Wei Li is on trial for killing his mother Emma Mae Tian at the family's Burnside home in 2011. Meanwhile, he fled Australia for China but was found three years later and deported back to Australia to face the murder charge.

Li confessed to the court that he killed his mother but claimed that was an act of self-defense. He explained how he caused his mother’s death, first he reportedly bashed her with a metal pole and strangled, and later, he wrapped her body in a bed sheet and left it in the living room.

On his way out of Australia, Li reportedly spent a night with a friend in Melbourne, whom he had never met in person before leaving for China. His friend, Xiang Ji is a Mandarin interpreter, and the two developed a good friendship through a social networking site.

Li told Xiang Ji that he had a constant tiff with his mother. His mother always forced him to learn a lot of things and sometimes she didn’t treat him well, said Xiang Ji.

Helping Friend Get Out Of Country

Xiang Ji told the court that Li borrowed about AU$ 900 to buy air ticket to Singapore. Meanwhile, the travel agent who sold Li the ticket described the former Law student as "very polite". Li, who was 18 when he committed the crime, stayed at a hotel in Melbourne before leaving for China.

A family friend, Rui Zhu also gave evidence to the Adelaide trial.

Mr. Zhu said Li's father, Jian Lu Li, had contacted him from China while on a business trip because he was unable to make contact with his wife.

Mr. Zhu said he visited the family's Adelaide furniture business but when found it closed, he came to the Burnside home, where he got in through an unlocked window and found her body.

The father of the accused is expected to give evidence to the court next week.

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