Dong Gang, a native of Nong'an County, northeast China's Jilin Province, has been sentenced to death after being found guilty of murdering six of his family members in February, according to a statement released by the Intermediate People's Court of Changchun.

Dong, 29, killed his father, 63-year-old Dong Changqing, his mother, his elder brother, two sisters and his 12-year-old niece with an axe at the family home in Helong village after being scolded by his father for being drunk in the morning, the court said.

He fled the scene but was caught by police the following day when he tried to return home with the intention of committing suicide.

The court said Dong, who graduated from middle school 10 years ago, had been regularly criticized and snubbed by his parents and relatives and had developed a hatred toward them.

Dong's trial was carried out in Nong'an County by the same court on May 15 but a written verdict was not provided.

Dong has pledged to appeal.

(Xinhua News Agency July 13, 2007)