THE China-born wife of politician Tan Lead Shake, who was previously charged with the murder of her brother-in-law in June, has escaped the gallows.

Her lawyer Mr Subhas Anandan told a district court on Tuesday that the murder charge was reduced to that of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Accused persons have been known to escape the death sentence on the strength of psychiatric reports showing that mental disorders diminished their responsibility for the act.

For more The Straits Times stories, click here.