On the afternoon of 20/8, the Nghe An Provincial People's Court sentenced 33-year-old Thai, a resident of Tam Quang commune, for murder, under Article 123 of the penal code.

In court, Thai expressed remorse, claiming he initially intended only to threaten the victim and did not anticipate the fatal outcome. He requested a reduced sentence to rebuild his life.

The judging panel deemed Thai's actions violent and a danger to society, warranting a strict sentence as a deterrent.

Defendant Lo Van Thai in court. Photo: Hung Le

Defendant Lo Van Thai in court. Photo: Hung Le

According to the indictment, Thai had been living with his older brother and sister-in-law in Son Ha village, formerly part of Tuong Duong district’s Tam Quang commune. On 15/9/2024, while the family was having dinner, 50-year-old Mr. Tinh, a fellow villager, came to visit. Thai overheard Mr. Tinh advising his sister-in-law to evict him.

Suspecting Mr. Tinh of repeatedly urging his sister-in-law to force him out, Thai went to a construction material storage area, grabbed a shovel and a wooden stick, and attacked Mr. Tinh. Despite his brother and sister-in-law's intervention, Thai continued the assault, using a metal pipe to strike Mr. Tinh's head until he lost consciousness.

Thai was apprehended by the police after the attack. The victim was taken to the hospital but died one month later.