On 6/8, Linh, 36, was sentenced to death by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Court for murder. Combined with a previous 2-year and 6-month sentence for theft, his total sentence is death, exceeding the prosecutor's recommendation of life imprisonment.

The court stated that Linh’s violent actions demonstrated a disregard for human life and the law, warranting a severe punishment as a deterrent.

Defendant Nguyen Van Linh at court today. Photo: Binh Nguyen

In June 2023, Linh was held at cell 17 in the Thu Duc City Police Detention Center on theft charges. He shared the cell with 23 other inmates. Linh was elected cell leader, with Ngo Hoang Tu as his deputy, responsible for maintaining order.

On the morning of 1/7/2023, Tu assigned Ho Ngoc Thang and others to wash bedding, dishes, and food containers. Approaching lunchtime, the items remained unclean. Tu yelled at Thang and the others, ordering them to line up outside the cell. An argument ensued.

Hearing the commotion, Linh stepped down from a concrete platform and kicked each person in the chest, including Thang. Thang began convulsing, struggled to breathe, and collapsed.

Officials monitoring the security cameras alerted their superiors. Thang received medical attention but died from cardiac arrest before reaching the hospital.

In court, Linh confessed and expressed remorse. He explained that as the designated cell leader, he felt responsible for order. He claimed the inmates' arguing angered him, leading to his loss of control.

"I know my actions were wrong and ask the court for leniency," Linh said, claiming he did not intend to kill Thang.

During the investigation, Linh's family paid 50 million VND in compensation to the victim's family, who then dropped the charges against him.

Binh Nguyen