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Evidence is being heard in the defection trial of a Chinese police chief who famously sought refuge in a U.S. consulate in one of the country's biggest political scandals in decades, CNN reported.

The trial of Wang Lijun began Monday in secret in Chengdu Intermediate People's Court, due to sensitive nature of material being heard.

The open, public trial started Tuesday morning and will not include evidence that compromises national security and state secrets.

Wang, 52, faces four alleged offences, including defection and bribe-taking, the latter of which could lead to the death penalty based on the amount involved and the seriousness of the case.

The trial is expected to be adjourned later Tuesday, with a verdict and sentence announced at a later date, according to Wang's lawyer, Wang Yuncai. When asked how Wang was, she replied, "He is fine."

Until February, Wang was a right-hand man of disgraced politician Bo Xilai, once considered among Communist royalty and a fast-rising star within the party destined for the highest office of the country.

After being suddenly dismissed as police chief, Wang spectacularly sought refuge for one day inside the U.S. Consulate in Chengdu, apparently fearing for his life and allegedly holding incriminating information against his boss.

Bo's wife poisoned and killed Neil Heywood, a British businessman and Bo family friend, last November amid a financial dispute. Gu Kailai, Bo's wife, was convicted of murder last month and received a suspended death sentence.