Life sentence for man who killed best friend out of jealousy

(Baonghean.vn) - Cuong used a knife to slash Ms. Hoa's head, injuring her. During the struggle, Mr. Toan fell to the street and was slashed in the head by Cuong, causing the victim's death.

On November 15, the Provincial People's Court opened a trial to try the murder case against Tran Van Cuong (born in 1987), residing in Vinh Tan Ward, Vinh City. Also involved in this case are Tran Van Tri (born in 1988), residing in Hung Thinh Commune, Hung Nguyen, who was prosecuted for concealing a crime; Phan Xuan Duc (born in 1988), residing in Nghi Kim Commune, Vinh City, and Dang Thi My Linh (born in 1989), residing in Cua Nam Ward, Vinh City, who were prosecuted for failing to report a crime.

The subjects at the trial.

According to the indictment, due to unresolved conflicts, Ms. Tran Thi Hoa moved out and filed for divorce from her husband, Tran Van Cuong. Cuong suspected that his wife was having an affair with Vo Dinh Toan (born in 1988) - a close friend of Cuong and his wife, so he was always bitter and resentful.

At around 1:00 p.m. on June 2, knowing that Ms. Hoa and Mr. Toan were going to a death anniversary in block 15, Cua Nam ward, Cuong had a knife about 60 cm long in his sleeve and asked Tran Van Tri to drive him to find these two people.

Upon arriving, Cuong used a knife to slash Hoa's head, injuring her. Seeing this, Toan jumped in and hugged Cuong to stop her. During the struggle, Toan was pushed down onto the street and Cuong slashed him in the head, causing the victim's death.

After committing the crime, Cuong returned home and found Duc and My Linh at home, so he told Duc that if anyone asked him, he should tell them that Cuong had slept all day. Knowing that Toan had died, Cuong took My Linh and went into hiding. On June 8, 2016, Tran Van Cuong was arrested while hiding in Xa Luong commune (Tuong Duong district, Nghe An).

Considering the case as a whole, the panel sentenced Tran Van Cuong to life in prison for murder and ordered him to pay nearly 130 million VND in compensation to the victim. Tran Van Tri was sentenced to 15 months in prison for concealing a crime.

Dang Thi My Linh was sentenced to 9 months in prison for failing to report a crime but given a suspended sentence; also for failing to report a crime. Phan Xuan Duc, due to his good character, honest confession, and first-time crime, was only given a warning.

Nhu Binh