Em was sentenced on 15/9 by the People's Court of Ca Mau province for murder under Clause 2, Article 123 of the penal code. He was also ordered to pay over 260 million VND in compensation to the victim's family.

The court acknowledged the victim's partial responsibility for initiating the attack. They also considered Em's confession, remorse, and limited cognitive and behavioral control during the incident.

Huynh Tam Em (in blue) at the trial. Photo: An Minh

Em, the victim (identified as Be), and 13 other crew members were working on a fishing vessel. On the afternoon of 24/12/2024, the captain anchored the boat in Ca Mau waters, and the crew began drinking. Em drank alone.

Later, Be started watching a movie on his phone with the speakerphone on at high volume. Em, unable to sleep, confronted Be, leading to an argument that was broken up by other crew members.

However, after 22:30, while Em was asleep, Be attacked him with a knife, slashing his head. Em reacted by grabbing a squid-gutting knife and stabbing Be, who later died from the injuries.

An Minh