On 11/9, after a two-day trial, the Da Nang People's Court sentenced Le Vu Hoang Tuoi (30), Tra Minh Nhat (23), and Tran Minh Tri (21), all residing in Da Nang, to life in prison for murder.

Twenty-three other defendants received sentences ranging from 11 years to life for murder, and from 18 months to 4 years for disturbing public order. Some defendants also faced charges of illegal drug possession and failure to report a crime.

The defendants at the trial. Photo: Ngoc Hoa

The defendants at the trial. Photo: Ngoc Hoa

According to the indictment, on the evening of 6/5/2024, Le Vu Hoang Tuoi and his friends went to the New Phuong Dong karaoke bar on Dong Da street in Da Nang. There, Tuoi got into an argument with Le Minh Long (25), also from Da Nang, and was punched in the face. Although the punch did not cause any injuries, Tuoi held a grudge. He later contacted Long on Facebook and challenged him to a confrontation on Nguyen Tat Thanh street.

On the afternoon of 7/5/2024, Tuoi called 12 friends and instructed them to bring knives, machetes, homemade swords, stun guns, and other weapons hidden in cars and motorbikes to the agreed-upon location. Long also gathered 13 people, armed with knives, swords, beer bottles, and Molotov cocktails.

At approximately 9:30 PM, the two groups clashed near house number 1071 on Nguyen Tat Thanh street. Long's group threw Molotov cocktails and beer bottles at their rivals, causing chaos. The two sides engaged in a violent brawl. Seeing that Tuoi's group was larger and more aggressive, Long and his accomplices fled.

During the chaos, Phan Thanh Dat, along with Le Minh Long and a few others, ran into Ha Khe street, but Tuoi and his accomplices pursued them. Dat was fatally stabbed.

After the attack, Tuoi's group quickly left the scene and went to a restaurant on Nguyen Tat Thanh street. About 15 minutes later, when they learned of Dat's death, the group fled.

At the trial, Long claimed that he started the fight because Tuoi "glanced" at him while paying the bill. Tuoi, however, claimed that he was in the karaoke room when he heard a commotion outside. He opened the door to investigate and was punched in the face by Long, who then left. Tuoi then found Long's Facebook profile and challenged him to a meeting.

Despite the conflicting accounts, the judges determined that Tuoi was the mastermind, directly recruiting accomplices, preparing weapons, and launching the attack. Long initiated the conflict and led the group that caused the disturbance, throwing Molotov cocktails and beer bottles in a residential area.

The judges emphasized that over a minor disagreement, the defendants disregarded the law, acted violently, and caused extremely serious consequences, disrupting public order and causing public alarm. Therefore, the court decided to impose strict sentences as a deterrent.

Ngoc Truong