Joey Yang/ Shanghai Daily news

Shanghai Higher People's Court has scheduled a second public hearing in the appeal of Yang Jia, who was sentenced to death for stabbing and killing six police officers in July.

The hearing is scheduled to start at 9:30am on Monday, according to an announcement yesterday on the court's Website. The announcement did not specify what would take place at the hearing.

The Shanghai Higher People's Court heard Yang's appeal on Monday this week but did not reach a decision. Yang's father, Yang Fusheng, as well as his aunt, Wang Jingrong, were allowed to attend the earlier hearing.

The defendant's lawyers argued in court that Yang was "mentally abnormal" and requested a second psychological assessment. The court rejected the request.

Lawyers Zhai Jian and Ji Jianqing focused their case on their client's psychological state. The court declared Yang mentally sound and ruled that he knew right from wrong. An earlier psychological appraisal was legal, effective and would stand, the court said.