Bo Xilai's wife due to hear verdict on Monday

BEIJING (AP) - A fallen Chinese politician's wife who confessed to killing a British businessman is due to hear the verdict on Monday in her murder trial and Communist Party leaders might have decided against a death penalty for fear it could incite public sympathy for her.

The conclusion of Gu Kailai's trial will be a step toward closing a scandal that has rocked the Chinese leadership at a sensitive time when it is preparing to hand over power to younger leaders.

But even after the verdict is announced, questions will remain over the fate of her husband, Bo Xilai, a prominent figure who was dismissed in March as party secretary of the major city of Chongqing.

Gu is accused of killing Briton Neil Heywood, a former Bo family associate, after a dispute over money and state media claim Heywood threatened her son.