Mother studies law at 90 to defend son in $16 million extortion trial, refuses to leave court despite health concerns

In a courtroom in eastern China, an extraordinary act of maternal devotion is unfolding. A 90-year-old woman has taken it upon herself to study law so she can defend her son in a high-stakes extortion case worth 117 million yuan (US$16 million), according to a report by South China Morning Post.

A Son Facing Serious Charges
The defendant, identified only by his surname Lin, is 57 and currently on trial at Zhoushan Municipal Intermediate Court in Zhejiang province. Prosecutors allege that between 2014 and 2017, Lin and his accountant coerced a wealthy businessman, surnamed Huang, into paying 117 million yuan by threatening to report alleged irregularities to tax authorities.

Huang, once listed among China’s top 100 richest people with an estimated net worth of eight billion yuan (US$1.1 billion) in 2009, had previously partnered with Lin in the gas production business. Lin’s side claims Huang’s repeated late payments led to production halts and heavy financial losses.

The case took a decisive turn early last year when Huang reported Lin to the police for blackmail, leading to Lin’s arrest in April 2023.

A Mother’s Unwavering Stand
Lin’s mother, surnamed He, decided to defend her son in the second half of 2023. Her family advised against it, citing her age and health, but she remained resolute.

“She bought books on criminal law and criminal procedure and started studying on her own,” He’s granddaughter told local media. “She even went to court every day to review case files.”

For He, the decision was as much about the law as it was about love. She missed her son deeply and reportedly wanted to play an active role in his defense.

A Fraught Day in Court
During the July 30 hearing, Lin entered the courtroom in handcuffs. Witnesses say He locked eyes with him for a moment, fighting back tears. Alongside her, Lin also retained a professional lawyer to support the case.

As the hours passed, He began to feel unwell. Medical staff, who had been on standby, examined her and recommended she be taken to hospital. Despite pleas from her family and court officials, she refused to leave, determined to see the proceedings through.

The trial is still underway, and the final verdict remains uncertain. Regardless of the outcome, He’s determination has captured public attention in China as a striking example of persistence and love under extraordinary circumstances.