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Title:
"The Triple Entanglement and Response of the Public, Media, and Judiciary: A Reexamination of the Liu Jinggui Case of 1935
Abstract:
In 1935, China was colloquially referred to as the "Year of Women's Issues," marked by a surge in incidents involving women's suicides, homicides, and murders, such as the suicide of Ruan Lingyu, the shooting of Liu Jinggui, and the revenge of Shi Jianqiao. Among these, the case of Liu Jinggui shooting Teng Shuang falls into the category of crimes of passion, with its sensational nature and the involvement of female criminality appealing to the public's curiosity. Notably, the three principal figures—Liu Jinggui, Lu Ming, and Teng Shuang—belonged to the intellectual elite, with Lu Ming and Teng Shuang both recognized as outstanding national athletes. Their public identities as members of the intellectual and athletic classes drew significant societal attention to the case, making Liu Jinggui's crime of passion a nationwide sensation. This period coincided with the Nanjing National Government's vigorous promotion of the New Life Movement and judicial reforms, thus the evaluations of Liu Jinggui and the trial of his case became intertwined with the construction of "national discourse," serving as a crucial lens through which to examine the process of community formation during the Republican era.
Recent scholarly research on the Liu Jinggui case，these studies primarily focus on the discussions surrounding "emotion" or "chastity" in public opinion and the judiciary, while neglecting the interplay and dynamics among Liu Jinggui's personal narrative, media coverage, judicial proceedings, and government intervention under the dual discourses of "reform" and "reconstruction." Therefore, this paper aims to build upon previous research by examining the Liu Jinggui case from three perspectives: social opinion, governmental regulations, and judicial discretion. It seeks to clarify the representation of Liu Jinggui across different levels, analyze the gender perceptions and conflicts among various groups during this period, and explore their differing perceptions and practices regarding the New Life Movement and judicial reforms. Through this analysis, I intend to understand the relationship between media, society, and the judiciary in the 1930s, elucidating how the Republican government utilized, transformed, and controlled public opinion and the judiciary to unify public sentiment, legal adjudication, and political ideology, thereby advancing the process of "social community," disciplining individuals, shaping citizens, and consolidating the authority of the Kuomintang during the Nanjing National Government era.
