On 11/3, the Tay Ninh Provincial People's Court sentenced Lam Hieu Tai to 20 years in prison for murder and 5 years for illegal possession of military weapons, totaling a 25-year sentence.

Lam Hieu Tai at the trial. Photo: *Nam An*.

Tai, who was unemployed, lived with his mother, uncle, and aunt in Go Dau ward, Tay Ninh province.

According to the indictment, on the evening of 3/7 last year, Tai woke up and could not find his t-shirt. Suspecting his uncle had taken it, he became angry and started yelling. His aunt claimed Tai had lost the shirt himself and no one had taken it, leading to an argument and a physical altercation between them.

After Tai kicked her, his aunt threatened to call the police. Tai's uncle, who was lying nearby and witnessed the incident, walked out of the house, stating he "would report it to the police."

Tai then took a switchblade from his bag, chased after his uncle, and stabbed him once in the abdomen, causing him to collapse.

After the attack, he went back inside to pack his belongings, intending to flee. When his aunt tried to stop him, he choked her, pushed her down, and then left.

Tai's uncle was rushed to the emergency room but died. The perpetrator later surrendered to the authorities.

Nam An