On the afternoon of 23/3, the Nghe An Provincial People's Court sentenced Cuong, 39, residing in Quynh Mai ward, to life imprisonment for murder, under Article 123 of the Penal Code.

During the trial, Cuong expressed remorse, hoping for leniency to return home soon to raise his children and care for his elderly mother. The defendant admitted his crime, stating that he became agitated and lost control after seeing his wife with an unfamiliar man, especially as communication was blocked while discussing their divorce.

The judging panel acknowledged the defendant's actions were exceptionally serious but granted some mitigating factors, including his honest testimony, repentance, and the victim's request for a reduced sentence and no compensation.

Defendant Cuong in court. *Photo: Hung Le*

According to the indictment, Cuong and Nguyen, 32, had been married for many years and had three children. In 10/2024, due to irreconcilable conflicts, Nguyen left home, rented a room, and left the children with her husband.

On the evening of 31/3/2024, while working as a security guard at a bar, Cuong saw his wife arrive with some friends. A short while later, Nguyen left the bar with a 40-year-old foreign man and proceeded to a rented room. Cuong followed, demanded entry, and when refused, broke the iron frame and forced his way in.

Authorities accused Cuong of then attacking his wife. When the man accompanying her intervened, Cuong stabbed him in the chest with scissors, causing him to collapse and die. Nguyen fled outside but Cuong pulled her back, stabbing her once in the side, causing serious injury and 23% health impairment.

Duc Hung

* Victim's name has been changed