Man found guilty in death and dismemberment of West Vancouver millionaire

A man who shot and dismembered his former West Vancouver business partner after an argument in 2015 has been found guilty of manslaughter and interfering with a body.

The judge foundLi Zhao,not guilty of second degree murder which is what he was charged with.

Ian Donaldson, Zhao'sdefence lawyer,said he's"happy" with the decision.

"The Crown has the burden of proving intent and murder is a specific intent crime," he said."And the specific intent required for murder could not be made out."

Police said ZhaoshotGang Yuan, 42, at a mansion in the British Properties on May 2, 2015. Both the victim and the accused had lived togetheroff-and-on in the mansion, which had beenshared by their extended family.

Zhaomarried Yuan's cousin.

It was allegedZhaoand Yuan had a "violent confrontation" around 2:30 a.m. that night. Yuan's body was found the following day.

Police said the millionaire businessman had beenchopped into more than 100 pieces.

Zhao was arrested and criminally chargeddays after the remains were discovered. Hepleaded not guilty to both charges in 2015.

Yuan's family has described him as a successful businessman whomade his money by investing in Saskatchewan real estate and agriculture, having moved to Canada in 2007.

Donaldson described his client as "timid," respectfuland pushing 60," with a history of contributing to the community.

He saidZhao had expressed remorseat how the incident"went from discussion to argument to altercation to death in a hurry."

"And that was one of the reasons that the judge had a reasonable doubt about whether he ever specifically intended to kill [Yuan]."

A court battle over Yuan's estate erupted in B.C. Supreme Court in the months after his death.

Yuan's brother, Qiang Yuan, went to court to block Zhao and his wife from claiming any assets from the victim's estate. In his lawsuit, Qiang YuanclaimedZhao killed the businessman for his money and, specifically, in hopes of getting "a free house."

In a separate case, five women and their children claimed they were entitled to Yuan's Canadian fortune and assets because of their relationships with the victim. Those assetsincluded a number ofSaskatchewan farms and luxury Vancouver properties.

One petition claimed Yuan's estate is worth more than $50 million.

Zhao, then on trial formurder,was briefly released from custody to testify at the civiltrial on Dec. 6. A lawyer involved in the case wanted Zhao to speak to Yuan's character, particularly as to how heinteracted with the women in his life.

Zhao painted Yuan as a serial womanizer whoprided himself on how many women he could bring homebut added Yuan never let any of the women stay very long out of fearthey'd lay claim to his wealth.

Zhao has been in custody for about four-and-a-half years since his arrest.

"He'll receive some additional time in custody, I expect but, of course, murder carries a minimum life sentence [unlike manslaughter]," saidDonaldson.

"It's highly unlikely that the judge will sentence him to life."