Man cleared of murder after 14 years

The Fujian Higher People's Court in southeast China has overturned a death sentence against Miao Xinhua, 14 years after he was wrongly convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend.

Miao Xinhua has been freed immediately.

Four others convicted in the case who had already been released from prison, were also exonerated.

Miao's case is the latest wrongful conviction to be overturned this year as China pushes ahead with legal reforms to "rule the country by law."

A woman Miao Xinhua had dated before was found dead on April 6, 2003, with her body dismembered.

The Fujian Higher People's Court originally convicted Miao Xinhua of choking the woman to death. Four other members of his family were also convicted of helping him dismember the body.

Miao was sentenced to death, but was put on probation after appealing twice.

New forensic analysis has found previous conclusion that hairs discovered in Miao Xinhua's apartment bathroom come from the victim is unreliable, providing the evidence necessary to overturn the convictions of him and his family.

Miao Xinhua's father died in 2016 after being released from prison. The family now says it intends to demand compensation for the wrongful conviction.