On 28/7, the Ha Tinh Provincial People's Court held an online trial and sentenced Nguyen Van Thien to 9 years in prison for manslaughter, according to Article 123 of the Penal Code.

Addressing the court, Thien expressed remorse, acknowledging that in a moment of anger, he had taken his brother's life. He requested a reduced sentence to return home and atone for his actions.

The jury determined that the defendant's actions were thuggish and intentional, warranting a strict sentence as a deterrent. However, the defendant received a reduced sentence due to the victim's family's plea for leniency.

Defendant Nguyen Van Thien at the online trial, connected from prison to the courtroom of the Ha Tinh Provincial People's Court, on the afternoon of 28/7. Photo: Hung Le

Defendant Nguyen Van Thien at the online trial, connected from prison to the courtroom of the Ha Tinh Provincial People's Court, on the afternoon of 28/7. Photo: Hung Le

According to the indictment, on the morning of 17/1, upon returning home from working in the fields in Loc Ha commune, Mr. Nhi (71 years old, Thien's father) became angry after seeing some fertilizer bags in the cowshed in disarray and started shouting. Mrs. Nhi came out to tidy up and an argument ensued between the couple.

Seeing his parents arguing, Mr. Luong (39 years old, the eldest son) became angry and killed a chicken with a wooden stick. Mr. and Mrs. Nhi stopped arguing and went inside.

However, while serving lunch, Thien's mother continued to reproach her husband. Thien, standing nearby, slapped his mother and told her to "be quiet," causing her to go inside and cry.

After lunch, Mr. Nhi went out to the cowshed to clean up and began cursing again. Mr. Luong followed him and repeatedly hit his father with a wooden stick. Thien, witnessing this, ran over to intervene and then struck his brother twice on the head with a piece of wood. The victim fell unconscious and died from a traumatic brain injury.

After the incident, Thien turned himself in to the police.

Duc Hung