Man beaten to death over a debt of over 20 million VND.

Unable to collect the debt, the group took the debtor to the embankment of the Day River, beat him, and forced him to write a promissory note. The victim subsequently suffered chest pain, difficulty breathing, and died from a ruptured liver.

On July 17, the Hanoi High Court of Appeal opened a hearing to consider the appeals for reduced sentences from the defendants in the robbery case resulting in death.

Defendant Tran Van Duong

The group of defendants appealing the verdict includes: Tran Van Duong (born in 1977), Nguyen Van Quang (born in 1993), Ha Van Manh (born in 1992), and Truong Tinh Thuong (born in 1988), all residing in My Duc district, Hanoi.

The victim also appealed, requesting a change of charges to Murder and Unlawful Detention.

According to the initial verdict, on the afternoon of March 3, 2015, Duong told his group of friends that Dinh Van Trong (born in 1987, residing in My Duc district, Hanoi) had borrowed 12 million dong and lost an additional 9 million dong in gambling scams.

Duong and his wife demanded payment several times, but Trong refused. Their friends suggested giving Trong a beating, but Duong dismissed the idea.

After the drinking session, the group went to a festival. There, the defendants met Trong. When they tried to collect the debt, Trong rudely replied, "I don't have the money to pay, do whatever you want."

The group of defendants took Trong to the embankment of the Day River, beat him up, and forced him to write a promissory note for 21 million dong before letting him go home.

Later that afternoon, Mr. Trong complained of thirst and difficulty breathing, so his relatives took him to the hospital for emergency treatment. Due to severe blood loss from a ruptured liver and kidney, Mr. Trong passed away.

Tran Van Duong played the leading role and was sentenced to 19 years in prison by the Hanoi People's Court on September 24, 2016. The remaining defendants received sentences ranging from 17 to 18 years in prison.

At the appellate court, explaining their actions, the defendants claimed they did not intend to take Trong's life. Their purpose in beating him was to force Trong to write a promissory note for 21 million VND.

After deliberation, the appellate court found no new evidence and decided to uphold the initial verdict.

According to VNE