In December 2002, Zhao Zuohai was convicted of murder and sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve by Shangqiu Intermediate People's Court in Henan province.

But after close to eight years in prison, the native of Henan province was released when his "murder victim" showed up alive.

Following his acquittal in 2010, six former police officers were arrested for allegedly torturing Zhao into confessing to a crime that never occurred. All six were convicted and five of them were given prison terms in August 2012.