Tran Ngoc Minh, 30, was sentenced to 15 years and 6 months in prison by the Tay Ninh Provincial People's Court on September 12 for murder, intentional injury, and illegal possession and use of a military weapon.
His accomplices, Duong Chi Linh, 31, and Nguyen Minh Tri, 31, received sentences ranging from 12 years and 6 months to 13 years and 6 months for their involvement in the incident, including intentional injury and property damage.
The court ordered the three men to jointly compensate the victims over 100 million VND for medical treatment, emotional distress, and property damage.
The court condemned the defendants' thuggish behavior, emphasizing the severity of resorting to gunfire over a minor disagreement. The fact that the victim Minh shot in the face survived with only minor injuries (3%) was deemed "unintentional" by the court and did not lessen their sentences.
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The three defendants in court. Photo: Nam An |
The three defendants in court. Photo: Nam An
The incident unfolded on the evening of 24/7/2022. Linh and Tri, who worked as laborers and shared lodgings in Duc Hoa district (formerly Long An), were riding a motorbike past Nguyen Tien Hai's house in My Hanh Nam commune when they encountered a parked car blocking their path. An argument ensued between the two men and Hai, along with the car's owner and other friends.
Linh and Tri then walked to Minh's nearby residence and recounted the altercation. The three men armed themselves with a handgun and two homemade knives before returning to Hai's house seeking revenge. Tri attacked Hai and another individual with a knife, while Minh shot another person in the face. As Hai's group drove the injured to the hospital, Linh and Tri pursued them, further damaging their vehicle.
Nam An
