At approximately 7:50 AM, Bich, the sole defendant in the murder case, was escorted to the Dong Nai Provincial People's Court. Dressed in a blue uniform and wearing a mask, her face appeared tense as she conversed with her defense lawyer in the courtroom.

Bich at this morning's trial. Photo: Phuoc Tuan

According to the indictment, Bich and her husband, Nguyen Thoai Thanh The, 40, operated a rice restaurant with his parents and siblings at their home on Hung Vuong Street, Vinh Thanh commune, formerly in Nhon Trach district (now Phuoc An commune). Due to marital conflict, Bich purchased cyanide with the initial intent to commit suicide but later decided to poison her husband.

On 5/1/2023, knowing that The regularly took stomach medication, Bich removed the contents of one capsule, filled it with cyanide, and mixed it into his medicine packet. That afternoon, after taking the pill, The experienced numbness in his limbs and increased blood pressure, prompting him to ask his wife to take him to the emergency room. The victim was repeatedly hospitalized thereafter, eventually dying in October of that year.

Following her husband's death, Bich began a new relationship and incurred debts from borrowing money for personal spending. Her younger sister, Nguyen Thi Thuy Trang, 35, repeatedly advised Bich, leading to a conflict between them. Harboring resentment, Bich planned to murder Trang's child as an act of revenge.

On 1/1/2024, while her family was having a hotpot meal on the porch, Bich saw Trang's 6-year-old daughter looking in the mirror in the bathroom. She seized the opportunity, poured cyanide into a blue plastic cup (typically used for brushing teeth), then added bottled water and coaxed the child to drink it. The child died one day later.

In addition, during her cohabitation with her brother and sister-in-law, Bich resented her sister-in-law, Than Thi Nhieu, for "often interfering in her private life." The two frequently argued. Bich harbored thoughts of revenge, targeting her brother and sister-in-law's children.

On the afternoon of 25/5/2024, as Bich went to the altar room to light incense for her recently deceased child, she noticed Nhieu's 13-year-old son lying in a hammock playing a game. Seeing no one else around, Bich entered the bedroom, took cyanide, and put it into a water bottle. When the boy asked, "What kind of water is that, auntie?", Bich replied, "Drink it, it's delicious." After a few sips, the boy complained of a bitter taste and returned to his hammock. He was rushed to the emergency room after showing signs of poisoning but succumbed to the toxic substance.

One month later, Bich and Nhieu had another dispute while discussing renovations for their shared house. Bich decided to act against Long, 18, Nhieu's eldest son, to exact revenge.

On the afternoon of 22/6/2024, as Long was studying in his room, Bich approached him and started a conversation, asking about his facial acne and claiming to know a special medicine. Long was deceived into drinking the cyanide-laced medicine and collapsed on the floor. Family members rushed him to the emergency room. Fortunately, doctors discovered cyanide in his stomach and alerted his family, saving his life.

Bich conversing with her defense lawyer before the trial. Photo: Phuoc Tuan

The indictment states that Bich poisoned multiple relatives over an extended period without anyone detecting or suspecting her actions. Her conduct demonstrates a cruel nature, targeting her own family members living under the same roof, resulting in three deaths and one injury.

Regarding the deaths of Bich's father and child in 2023, investigators found no documents or evidence to confirm she used cyanide to kill them.

The court is expected to deliver its verdict this afternoon.