Chinese court gives Bo Xilai life sentence

JINAN, China A Chinese court has convicted fallen politician Bo Xilai of corruption and sentenced him to life in prison, capping one of the country's most lurid political scandals in decades.

The Jinan Intermediate People's Court convicted the former Politburo member and Chongqing city Communist Party chief on charges of taking bribes, embezzlement and abuse of power. He was sentenced to life in prison on the bribery charges, 15 years for embezzlement and seven years for abuse of power.

Bo, with crew cut hair and wearing a white shirt, stood to hear the verdict.

Bo's downfall was set in motion by his wife's murder of a British businessman, followed his top aide's attempt to defect to a U.S. consulate with information about the case. Bo was later investigated for corruption.