Torture of the Innocent

Tang law strictly prohibited torturing individuals without evidence of guilt; this case exemplifies illegal judicial torture.

Case of a Gong County Commoner Suing the County Sheriff for Torturing the Innocent (Tianbao 9)
  1. Case of a Gong County Commoner Suing the County Sheriff for Torturing the Innocent (Tianbao 9)
  2. Jurisdiction: Tang Dynasty China (present-day Henan Province) (750 AD (9th year of the Tianbao era, reign of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang))
  3. Original Case: 天宝九载河南府巩县民诉县尉拷掠无过案
  4. VictimsUnnamed innocent commoner (tortured and driven to suicide)DefendantsZhang Jingyu (张景毓)PlaintiffsA commoner from Gong County (name unknown)JudgesDali Temple (大理寺) judgesInstitutionsDali Temple (大理寺)
  5. Case Tags: Torture of the Innocent;Abuse of Power by County Sheriff;Tang Judicial Supervision;Tianbao Era Legal Cases