The Supreme People's Court's call for cool-headedness in handling the Deng Yujiao case is a reminder which we hope will be heeded by the local court that is to hear the case. It is of particular significance given the tremendous pressure on the judiciary to deliver a judgment in favor of Deng.

Deng, a female employee at a foot massage parlor of a local hotel in Hubei province, allegedly stabbed to death a thuggish local official and injured another who forced her to provide "special service". After angry outbursts from across the country, the local authorities were compelled to alter the charge against her from the initial "murder" to the current "excessive self-defense", which makes a life-and-death difference in terms of legal consequences.

With the despised officials getting more than what they deserved, and Deng now released from custody and at home under surveillance, the case has proceeded satisfactorily so far under close public scrutiny. For most people, who are fed up with abusive officials, Deng is the innocent victim-heroine.