On 22/7, Le Tri Hai, 37, and Luu Minh Chien, 40, were sentenced by the District 6 People's Court to 10 and 9 years in prison, respectively, for intentional injury. They were also ordered to pay 270 million VND in compensation to the victim's family.

Le Tri Hai (right) and Luu Minh Chien at the trial. Photo: An Minh

Le Tri Hai (right) and Luu Minh Chien at the trial. Photo: An Minh

The incident began around midnight on 5/11/2024. After a drinking session, Hai and Chien were on their way home on a motorbike. Upon reaching the Vo Thi Sau bridge in Bac Lieu city (formerly Bac Lieu province), they encountered a man, Mr. Thong, drinking alone. They joined him, and the three continued drinking together.

Hai and Chien placed their two phones beside them and fell asleep. When they awoke, their phones were gone. They questioned Mr. Thong, asking if he had taken them, but he did not respond. Suspecting him of theft, Hai punched Mr. Thong repeatedly in the face and head, demanding the return of the phones.

Hai and Chien then attempted to take Mr. Thong to the local police station. When he resisted, they knocked him to the ground, causing his head to hit the concrete. They then used a lighter to burn him in several places on his body. When Mr. Thong became unresponsive, Hai and Chien went to sleep.

The next morning, Chien woke up to find Mr. Thong unconscious, with severe facial injuries and bleeding from his mouth. He alerted Hai, and they took Mr. Thong to the police to confess. Mr. Thong was rushed to the hospital but died the following day from a traumatic brain injury.

During the investigation and trial, both defendants confessed and agreed to compensate the victim's family.

An Minh