Man stabs drinking buddy to death after trying to stop him from paying for his drink

On May 7, Nghe An Provincial People's Court announced the first instance criminal verdict against defendant Moong Pho Khoong (born in 1955), residing in Bao Thang commune, Ky Son district, for the crime of "Murder".

According to the case, at around 10:00 a.m. on December 13, 2023, Moong Pho Khoong, Moong Pho L. (born in 1987), and Mr. Cut Van Thoong and his wife, all residing in Bao Thang commune, Ky Son district, sat drinking alcohol at Khoong's shack in area C5, Ca Moong village, Luong Minh commune, Tuong Duong district. At 8:00 p.m. the same day, the alcohol on the drinking table was gone, Moong Pho L. told Mr. Cut Van Thoong to take out his alcohol to drink and then Mr. L. would pay for it. Because Mr. Thoong and his wife were deaf and mute from birth, after taking out the alcohol to drink, Mr. Thoong made a sign asking for payment, but Mr. L. did not pay. Moong Pho Thoong also told Mr. L. to pay, but he still refused to pay.

Angry because he was repeatedly asked for money, Moong Pho L. took a burning piece of firewood from the kitchen and hit Mr. Thoong and his wife. Seeing that, Moong Pho Khoong stood up and said in the Khmu language, "Please, don't do that to them. If you have money, pay them back." L. turned around and said, "It's because of you, right? I'll kill you too." As soon as he finished speaking, L. took a piece of firewood and hit Khoong, but Khoong dodged it. Then L. took out a sharp knife he was carrying and stabbed Khoong once, but missed.

Angry at his drinking buddy's actions, Moong Pho Khoong took a machete and slashed L.'s neck and body several times. L. ran about 25 meters out of the shack and collapsed and died. Moong Pho Khoong then calmed down, took the knife and ran to report and then went to Bao Thang Commune Police to surrender, confessing all his crimes.

At the trial, defendant Moong Pho Khoong admitted all the crimes as charged in the indictment. The defendant said that because he was a little drunk and got angry, he caused the consequences. The victim's family requested that the defendant compensate for mental damage according to the law, including 16 million VND for funeral expenses. The cost of raising the victim's 4 children until they turn 18 years old. Currently, defendant Moong Pho Khoong's family has compensated 3 million VND to the victim's family.

Considering the case as a whole, the panel sentenced defendant Moong Pho Khoong to 7 years and 6 months in prison for the crime of "Murder".