On 14/11, Tran Van Cuong, 36, from Dong Thap province, was sentenced to 16 years in prison by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Court. Nguyen Van Tan, 26, Cuong's friend, received a 14-year sentence for murder.

The court ordered the defendants to pay 130 million Vietnam dong in compensation and provide 5 million Vietnam dong monthly support for the victim's two children until they reach 18 years of age.

According to the trial panel, the defendants' actions resulted in severe consequences, directly infringing upon another person's life and warranting strict punishment. However, the victim also bore some responsibility for the incident.

Tran Van Cuong (right) and Nguyen Van Tan in court today. Photo: Binh Nguyen

The indictment states that Cuong and Le lived together as partners in Binh Chanh commune. Around August 2024, Cuong and Tan, a coworker, heard Le recount how Thi, who was already married, had messaged her, inviting her to a hotel. This angered both Cuong and Tan.

On the afternoon of 1/9/2024, Cuong invited Tan and several friends to his rented room for a meal. During their gathering, Thi called Tan, leading to an argument and a challenge to fight the entire group. Knowing Thi was intoxicated, Tan hung up. A short while later, Thi called back, announcing he was near Cuong's home and demanding to speak with them.

Cuong tried to stop Tan, but Tan still grabbed a wooden stick and went outside. Seeing Thi holding a wooden stick and issuing challenges, Tan and Cuong rushed forward to attack him. Realizing he was at a disadvantage, Thi turned to retrieve a knife, intending to attack Tan, but Cuong wrestled it away.

Thi continued to charge at Tan, whereupon Cuong stabbed him once in the back with the knife, causing him to collapse. Despite being rushed to emergency, the victim died from a punctured lung.

In court, the defendants expressed remorse and admitted their criminal acts.

Binh Nguyen