( CNN ) -- The wife of a former top Chinese politician has admitted to poisoning a British businessman , blaming a `` mental breakdown '' for her actions that resulted in Neil Heywood 's death , state news reported . The closely watched murder trial of Gu Kailai took place Thursday , adjourning in the afternoon without the announcement of a verdict , said Tang Yigan , deputy head of the Hefei Intermediate People 's Court . On Friday , the state-run Xinhua news agency offered details on what transpired in court the previous day during the seven-hour long trial . That included a statement by Gu in which she not only did n't deny the accusations levied against her , but `` accepted all the facts written in the indictment '' -- including poisoning Heywood at a time when she thought her son 's life was in danger . Who is Gu Kailai ? `` During those days last November , I suffered a mental breakdown after learning my son was in jeopardy , '' Gu , 53 , said shortly before the trial concluded . `` The tragedy , which was created by me , was not only extended to Neil , but also to several families . '' Her family aide and alleged co-conspirator , Zhang Xiaojun , likewise admitted to his part in the crime and said he wanted to say `` sorry '' to the victim 's family . `` I hope the court can give me a chance to take a new lease on life , '' Zhang said in the court in the eastern city of Hefei , according to the Xinhua report . `` I really know that I did wrong . '' The pair were accused of killing the 41-year-old Heywood last November in a hotel room in the city of Chongqing . Chinese authorities had previously said that Gu and her son had `` conflicts '' with Heywood `` over economic interests '' and that she was motivated to kill the Briton because of fears for her son Bo Guagua 's safety . Reached Friday by e-mail , Bo Guagua declined to comment on his mother 's confession or `` any details pertaining to the case . '' Gu 's admission is the latest phase in the fall from grace of the prominent family of Bo Xilai , Gu 's husband , who until earlier this year had appeared destined to join the elite committee of leaders at the top of China 's ruling party . The family 's alleged involvement in Heywood 's death triggered the most sensational Chinese political scandal in recent memory . And it created an extraordinary set of challenges for the central government as it prepares for a once-in-a-decade leadership transition later this year . Why the Gu Kailai trial is important ? Prosecutors said in court Thursday that Gu had invited Heywood to the southwestern Chinese metropolis of Chongqing -- the city where Bo was then the Communist Party chief -- from Beijing . The trial took place 1,200 kilometers ( 750 miles ) east of Chongqing , where Heywood died and where support for Bo and his family remains strong . Heywood and Gu drank alcohol and tea in a hotel room , after which the Briton got drunk and began vomiting , a prosecutor said . When Heywood asked for water , Gu asked Zhang , who 'd been waiting outside , to come into the room . It was then that Gu got cyanide from Zhang and , after her aide carried Heywood to the bed , poured the poison into the Briton 's mouth , according to the prosecutor . Gu then scattered capsules containing narcotics on the floor to make it seem like Heywood was using drugs , the prosecution said . She put a `` Do not disturb '' sign on Heywood 's hotel room door and told hotel staff not to bother him , a hotel employee said . Neither Gu nor Zhang objected to the prosecution 's outline of the case , according to Tang , the court official , though Gu 's lawyer did argue for leniency . Bo and Gu on trial , in different ways . In her statement , Gu explained how , in 2005 , she and her son Bo Guagua got to know Heywood after he wrote them to introduce himself . The Briton later became an agent and participant in a land development project in China that never materialized . When Heywood asked for compensation , he began to have disputes with the family and -- according to Gu -- threatened her son 's personal safety . Prosecutors displayed numerous e-mails between Heywood and Gu 's son showing the increasingly heated conflict . At some point , Gu decided to kill Heywood , prosecutors said . They displayed a statement by Gu in which she said , `` To me , that was more than a threat . It was real action that was taking place . I must fight to my death to stop the craziness of Neil Heywood . '' In an e-mail to CNN Tuesday , Bo Guagua said he had submitted a witness statement to his mother 's defense team . `` I have faith that facts will speak for themselves , '' wrote Bo , 24 , who graduated from Harvard University 's Kennedy School of Government in May . A Bo family friend said the court did not accept the younger Bo 's statement as evidence Thursday . Another facet of the case that 's drawn international attention , as noted in the Xinhua report , was the fact that an official appointed by Bo 's family initially was among those who first decided not to categorize Heywood 's death as a criminal case . These authorities covered up Gu 's presence at the scene by fabricating interview records and hiding evidence , among other measures , the report said . The authorities `` persuaded '' Heywood 's relatives to accept their conclusion and cremated the British citizen 's body without conducting an autopsy , according to Xinhua . But the case was reopened after Wang Lijun , then vice mayor and police chief of Chongqing , tried to defect to the U.S. consulate in the neighboring Sichuan city of Chengdu . In a related case , Chinese state media reported Thursday that four top Chongqing policemen will be tried for trying to cover up Heywood 's murder to help Gu . The four -- Guo Weiguo , Li Yang , Wang Pengfei and Wang Zhi -- were charged July 30 and will face trial in Hefei , Xinhua and CCTV reported . They have been charged with `` acting with partiality and defeating the ends of justice , '' the outlets reported . CNN 's Steven Jiang and Jason Kessler contributed to this report .
The wife of ex-Chinese politician Bo Xilai says , `` I suffered a mental breakdown '' A family aide confesses to his role , saying , `` I really know that I did wrong '' British businessman Neil Heywood died after being poisoned in his hotel room . Gu 's murder trial occurred Thursday , though no verdict has been announced .