The People's Court of Ha Tinh Province sentenced Son, 35, to 17 years in prison for murder on 24/9, under Article 123 of the Penal Code.

Defendant Bui Duc Son in court. Photo: Hung Le

Defendant Bui Duc Son in court. Photo: Hung Le

Son owned a billiard hall in Tan Thanh residential area, Hoanh Son ward, formerly part of Ky Anh town. Around 10:50 PM on 25/4, a group including Bui, 29, got into an argument with other patrons. The two groups began fighting and damaging equipment in the hall.

Instead of intervening, Son grabbed a billiard ball rack and joined the fight against Bui's group. Overpowered, Son ran to the kitchen, grabbed a 24-cm scissor and stabbed Bui twice. Bui collapsed with a punctured pericardium and died from blood loss. Son also sustained injuries resulting in a 3% health impairment from the fight.

In court, Son expressed remorse, explaining his anger at the fight and damage to his property led to the stabbing. He asked for leniency to return to his family and atone for his crime.

The court deemed Son's actions dangerous, concluding he intentionally took a life and required a strict sentence as a deterrent.

Duc Hung

*The victim's name has been changed.