On 13/5, the Ha Tinh Regional Court 1 sentenced defendant Tam, 52, residing in Cam Due commune, for intentionally causing injury, under Article 134 of the Penal Code.

At the trial, Tam expressed remorse and sought a reduced sentence. After the incident, the defendant and the victim's family agreed on 550 million VND in compensation, with 200 million VND already paid.

The court noted the defendant's good personal record and partial restitution, leading to the pronounced sentence.

The court also ordered the defendant to pay 960,000 VND monthly support to the victim's mother.

Defendant Tam in court. Photo: Hung Le.

According to the indictment, around 20h on 25/5/2025, after drinking alcohol at his home in Phu Thuong village, Cam Due commune (formerly part of Cam Xuyen district), Tam went to a karaoke bar with two friends. As the bar did not have the requested type of beer, Tam walked to a neighbor's house to buy some but was unsuccessful.

There, Tam saw Le Dinh Chan, 67, and several others drinking water in the yard. Tam climbed over the fence to join them. During their conversation, Tam joked about Mr. Chan 'being afraid of his wife' and remarked, "If you drink too much, no one will cook for you, and you'll fall." An argument ensued between the two.

Authorities accused Tam of then forcefully pushing Mr. Chan in the chest, causing him to fall backward, hit his head on the tiled yard, and lose consciousness. The victim was rushed to Ha Tinh General Hospital and later transferred to Hue Central Hospital.

Mr. Chan sustained severe traumatic brain injury, a skull fracture, brain hemorrhage, and diffuse brain damage. Despite surgery, the victim entered a vegetative state, suffering quadriplegia with a 99% injury rate, and died on 10/12/2025.

By Duc Hung