On 28/7, 60-year-old Tong Phuoc Thanh appeared before the Ho Chi Minh City People's Court, charged with attempted murder.

A few rows behind him sat his wife, 59-year-old Ngoc Anh, a small woman covered in scars. Silent throughout the proceedings, her pained eyes remained fixed on her husband.

Defendant Tong Phuoc Thanh in court on 28/7. Photo: Hai Duyen

Defendant Tong Phuoc Thanh in court on 28/7. Photo: Hai Duyen

According to the indictment, on the night of 16/3/2021, following a drinking session, Thanh and Anh argued about money. In a fit of rage, Thanh threw a phone at his wife, causing a head injury. Anh retaliated by hitting him with a plastic dustpan.

Thanh then retrieved a bottle of gasoline, which his son used for silversmithing work, and doused his wife from head to toe before setting her alight. Engulfed in flames, Anh ran into the yard screaming. She rolled on the ground before running to the gate, leaning against an electrical pole in a desperate attempt to extinguish the flames.

Neighbors rushed to her aid and took her to the hospital. She survived the attack but sustained burns over 28% of her body.

Thanh remained inside the house while his wife burned. When the police arrived, he poured gasoline from his motorbike into a plastic bottle and threatened to self-immolate if arrested. The police eventually subdued and apprehended him.

In court, Thanh admitted to the charges. He explained that he worked as a motorbike taxi driver, while his wife was a cleaner. He claimed the attack was motivated by his wife "nagging him about money," and that he didn't help her because he was "too drunk to know what was happening".

However, the prosecutor argued that Thanh was "clearly not drunk," as he was able to resist arrest and threaten self-immolation. The prosecutor highlighted the irony of the situation, stating, "After so many years of marriage, he set his wife on fire over a few nagging words. Yet, out of love and loyalty, she has pleaded for leniency."

At this point, Thanh mumbled, "I am very remorseful".

The prosecution described Thanh's actions as barbaric, emphasizing the need for a severe penalty for setting his wife on fire over a minor disagreement. However, acknowledging his confession and remorse, they recommended a sentence of 13 to 15 years in prison.

When asked for her opinion, Anh softly requested, "If possible, please sentence him to three to four years, so he can return to our family soon."

Thanh's lawyer argued that his client's actions were impulsive. He pointed out Thanh's limited education, having only completed second grade, and his subsequent 20 million VND compensation payment to his wife for medical treatment, along with her plea for leniency. The lawyer requested a lighter sentence than the prosecution's recommendation.

After deliberation, the court accepted the lawyer's arguments, recognizing mitigating factors such as Thanh's confession, remorse, and his wife's plea for leniency. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Hai Duyen