HARBIN, Nov.13 -- Two inmates were sentenced to death and another life in prison on Friday for killing a prison guard in escaping from a detention center in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province last year.

According to the Harbin Municipal Intermediate People's Court, Gao Yulun was sentenced to death for jailbreak and intentional homicide, Wang Damin was given death sentence over jailbreak, theft and intentional injury, and Li Haiwei will be imprisoned for life for jailbreak and intentional homicide.

They were inmates at the detention center of Yanshou County. Gao and Wang planned to escape the prison and persuaded Li to join them.

On Sept. 2 last year, a guard identified as Duan took Gao to an interrogation room. It is alleged that Gao attacked Duan while the two of them were alone in the room, with Wang and Li then rushing in to take part in the attack.

After killing Duan, the three took keys from Duan's pockets, stole police uniforms and escaped, according to the charges.

They were captured last September after a massive manhunt.

Gao was awaiting execution over intentional killing, while Wang was facing charges of intentional injury and theft, and Li was suspected of intentional homicide before they broke out of prison.

Gao accepted the sentence, but Wang and Li lodged an appeal after the court released its verdict.