On the afternoon of August 21, the People's Court of Zone one, Da Nang City, reopened the first-instance trial of Tran Hoang Thien, 20, Nguyen Thanh Tung, 27, and Tran Van Minh Toan, 27, all residing in Hoa Xuan ward, Da Nang City. They are charged with murder under Clause 2, Article 123 of the Penal Code. The trial had been postponed in early July due to the absence of the defense lawyer for defendant Thien.

The three defendants at the trial on the afternoon of August 21. Photo: Van Ho

According to the indictment, at approximately 11:45 on 17/1/2025, Tran Thanh, a 31-year-old shipper, delivered an order worth 375,000 VND to the home of Tran Thanh Thao in Hoa Phuoc commune, Hoa Vang district (formerly). As Thao was not home, her mother received the package, and Thanh provided his bank account number for the customer to make payment.

Due to business commitments, Thao transferred the money around 20:00 that same day. Receiving the payment late, Thanh sent a reproachful message using inappropriate language, which led Thao to complain to the delivery service provider.

Believing the complaint would result in a deduction of his points, Thanh, after consuming alcohol, went to Thao's house around 23:00 that night, shouting and banging on the gate, demanding to meet her.

Thao was attending a year-end party nearby with Toan, her boyfriend, and Tung. After receiving a call from her family, Toan drove Thao home, with Tung following on his motorbike.

Upon arrival, an argument ensued. Toan punched Thanh in the face, and Tung joined in, punching and dragging the victim to the opposite sidewalk to assault him.

At that moment, Thao's younger brother, Tran Hoang Thien, arrived and immediately began hitting the victim repeatedly in the head and face with his hands and a motorcycle helmet until others intervened.

After the altercation, Thanh rode his motorbike home. He encountered a local security team and returned with them to mediate, agreeing to resolve the matter the next day. By 23:45, Thanh was home with a bruised face, scratches, and a broken helmet.

Around 0:30 on 18/1/2025, Thanh's wife discovered her husband struggling to breathe and called for an ambulance. However, the victim passed away before medical personnel arrived.

The autopsy report determined the cause of death was a ruptured cerebral blood vessel, forming a blood clot in the entire left transverse sinus due to external force.

At today's trial, the defendants admitted they had no prior conflict with Thanh and assaulted him out of anger when they saw him yelling at Thao's house. They also confirmed that the victim did not fight back. Thao stated she did not incite the group to attack Thanh.

The victim's wife and the lawyer representing the victim's interests requested the trial panel to return the case file. They sought clarification on the detail concerning "hooliganism" and requested that the defendants be tried under Clause 1, Article 123 of the Penal Code, which carries a sentence of 12-20 years imprisonment, life imprisonment, or death. The victim's wife also requested consideration of Thao's role in the case.

After deliberation, the trial panel decided to return the case file for additional investigation. The aim is to clarify whether the defendants should be held criminally responsible under Clause 1 or Clause 2 (with a penalty range of 7-15 years imprisonment) of Article 123 of the Penal Code.

Regarding the case's progression, on 20/1/2025, the Hoa Vang District Police Investigation Agency initiated criminal proceedings against the three suspects for intentionally causing injury under Clause 4, Article 134. In August 2025, the Da Nang City Police Investigation Agency changed the decision to prosecute them for murder.