An American film student has been sentenced to life in prison for stabbing his girlfriend to death in her London flat and attempting to blame the victim. Joshua Michals, 26, was convicted of murdering 31-year-old Chinese student Zhe Wang at her home in Lewisham on 20 March 2024.
The Old Bailey trial heard that Michals and Ms Wang, both students at Goldsmiths, University of London, had an on-and-off relationship. After the pair had sex, Ms Wang developed a rash and believed Michals had given her a sexually transmitted infection. An argument ensued, and Michals 'flew into a rage', stabbing her twice with a kitchen knife and compressing her neck.
Michals claimed Ms Wang, who he described as 'germophobic', had attacked him with a knife first. However, Judge Richard Marks KC rejected this, stating Michals became 'enraged' and lost control. The judge noted that Michals did not call emergency services immediately, instead contacting his father and solicitor first, which was described as 'callous' and showed he was 'thinking only of yourself'.
Ms Wang's cousin, Xiao Li Wang, said in a victim impact statement that the family initially thought they were being scammed when told of her death. She described Ms Wang as 'so positive, hardworking, passionate about life'. The judge called Ms Wang 'a hugely talented writer, a gentle and kindly young woman'.
Michals, of Deals Gateway, south-east London, was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 22 years and 188 days. He had previously pleaded not guilty but was found guilty by a jury.
