Nguyen Huu Phuc was sentenced to death by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Court on the afternoon of 24/9 for murder and property robbery. His wife, Trinh Thi Duc, received a one-year prison sentence for receiving stolen property.

The court condemned Phuc's actions as savage and inhumane, causing serious consequences and warranting the harshest possible sentence.

Defendants Nguyen Huu Phuc and his wife in court. Photo: Hong Hao

According to the indictment, Phuc and his wife were neighbors with Ms. Le, living two houses apart in Vinh Loc commune. On the morning of 14/11/2025, Ms. Le visited Phuc's house to borrow a bamboo pole to chase away a snake. Upon seeing her wearing gold earrings and a bracelet, Phuc formed the intent to murder and rob her.

Phuc followed Ms. Le to an empty plot of land behind his house, carrying a hammer. He then attacked her, rendering her unconscious with the hammer. After taking the two earrings and one gold bracelet, Phuc covered her with a tarp and left the scene.

Fearing the victim was still alive, Phuc returned multiple times to check on her. Discovering Ms. Le was still breathing, he continued his assault until she died.

Following the murder, Phuc drove his wife to sell the gold, admitting he had killed Ms. Le to steal her property. Duc sold the two earrings for nearly 4 million VND and the bracelet for over 17 million VND.

Phuc then drove his wife to a pawn shop, where they arranged to transfer 18 million VND to their landlord's account to pay a debt. The couple took the remaining over 3 million VND home and kept it.

On the same day, Ms. Le's daughter and other residents discovered the victim deceased in the empty plot of land behind the house. They promptly reported the incident to the police. Police subsequently arrested Phuc and Duc, seizing the over 3 million VND as evidence.

In court, both defendants admitted to the actions as outlined in the indictment.

Binh Nguyen