On 12/12, Tien was convicted by the Gia Lai provincial People's Court of murder and property theft.

According to the trial panel, the defendant committed an exceptionally grave offense. Taking the life of his own mother demonstrated cruelty, a blatant disregard for human life, and a thuggish nature, warranting severe punishment.

The defendant Nguyen Van Tien in court today. _Photo: Nhat Linh_

In court, Tien confessed to all charges, stating his game addiction began in 6th grade. He dropped out of school in 10th grade, spending his days playing games and occasionally assisting his mother, Le Thi Van, with herding cattle.

The indictment detailed that on the morning of 18/9, Tien and his mother were clearing weeds in the cashew garden behind their home in Hamlet 6, Ia Le commune. Shortly after, he requested money from his mother to play video games, but she refused. Enraged by her scolding, Tien fatally attacked her with a machete.

After the murder, Tien dug a shallow grave in the cashew garden and buried his mother's body. He then arranged to sell all the family's cattle and goats, receiving over 45 million dong. He spent 5,5 million dong on game top-up cards and 17 million dong on a new phone before absconding from the area.

A week later, residents discovered Mrs. Van's body buried underground, leading to the exposure of Tien's crime.

Tran Hoa