Nguyen Tan Tho, 66, from Mo Cay commune, Quang Ngai province, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for murder on the afternoon of 7/9 by the Quang Ngai Provincial People's Court.

Tho listens to the verdict. Photo: Tra Giang

In the early morning of February 8th, Tho argued with his wife and threatened, "I'll burn you to death," according to the indictment.

He then took a plastic container, filled it with gasoline from his motorbike, and went into the bedroom where he poured it over his wife.

As she jumped out of bed, he looked for a lighter but saw her phone on the bed. In a fit of anger, he threw it onto the floor. The phone shattered, and a spark ignited the gasoline, engulfing his wife in flames. She died two days later on February 10th.

The jury stated that Tho was fully aware of the dangerous nature of his actions but still intentionally carried them out, demonstrating a disregard for human life. Mitigating factors included his confession, remorse, the victim's family's plea for leniency, his international service in Cambodia, and his family's contributions to the revolution.

Pham Linh