Late tears of a former teacher

Murder from a saying...

On the evening of May 31, 2022, Ly Thanh Commune Police (Yen Thanh) received a report of a murder at a resident's house in the commune. Based on preliminary information from surrounding residents, the victim was Mr. Nguyen Van M. (59 years old), residing in Ly Thanh Commune.

Scene of the incident. Photo: HSVA

The case was immediately reported to the Investigation Police Department, Yen Thanh District Police for clarification. However, when the case was only at the stage of filing the dossier, the suspect confessed to his wrongdoings.

What shocked the people of Ly Thanh commune was that the perpetrator was the victim’s neighbor who “helped each other in times of need”. Not only that, at that time, the suspect To Van Tri (born in 1980), residing in Ly Thanh commune, was also a teacher at a local secondary school.

To Van Tri is a History teacher at a secondary school in Yen Thanh district. During his career, Tri was honored to receive many Certificates of Merit and Merit at all levels, and was a grassroots Emulation Fighter. However, To Van Tri's long career in education ended when he committed the crime of "Murder".

According to the case file as well as the defendant’s testimony at the trial, during his life, Mr. M. often got drunk and cursed at relatives and neighbors, including To Van Tri’s family. Mr. M. also repeatedly insulted Tri’s honor and profession as a teacher. This made Tri angry.

To Van Tri was prosecuted by the representative of the Procuracy for "Murder" with indirect intent. Photo: HSVA

At around 7:30 p.m. on May 30, 2022, To Van Tri heard Mr. Nguyen Van M. standing on the other side of the house continuing to curse, using insulting words to insult Tri's profession and honor. Having been insulted many times and having suppressed his anger for so long, To Van Tri decided to go and "clarify the matter" with his neighbor. That was also the "last straw" that led to the incident that completely changed the lives of the two families.

Tri climbed over to the neighbor's house and used his hand to push Mr. M.'s back, causing him to fall into the alley. When Mr. M. staggered to his feet, Tri used his hand to pull Mr. M. up and then let go, causing the man to fall backwards and hit his head on the hard floor. The third time, Tri continued to pull Mr. M. up, but seeing Mr. M. curl up and no longer able to resist, Tri continued to let go, causing Mr. M. to fall down and then left the victim to go home.

The victim was discovered by his wife and children and taken to the emergency room but died shortly thereafter. The investigation agency determined that the cause of death was a fractured skull. After learning of Mr. M's death, To Van Tri turned himself in to the police and admitted his crime.

Late tears

On December 2, 2022, the trial of defendant To Van Tri was held by the Provincial People's Court. The trial was attended by many people, the defendant's wife was also present as a person with related rights and obligations. Everyone's relatives felt sorry for Tri, because due to lack of restraint, Tri took the life of his neighbor.

At the trial, the defendant cried many times and apologized to the victim's family. Photo: HSVA

Nearly half a year has passed since the act of pushing his neighbor to death, but the remorse and regret are still in To Van Tri's mind. His haggard face, his face bowed down before the defendant's stand made many attendees feel regretful and heartbroken. A moment of anger made Tri, who used to be a long-time teacher with many achievements, but in a moment, this male teacher lost his career and was also caught up in the law.

During the trial, the defendant To Van Tri confessed honestly, showing remorse and regret for his actions. Tri admitted that his action of stepping forward and pushing Mr. M. down was only to scare Mr. M. and did not intend to kill him. At the trial, the defendant cried many times and apologized to the victim's family, hoping that the victim's legal representative and the jury would consider and reduce his sentence so that he could soon return home to raise his children with his wife.

It is known that after the incident, To Van Tri influenced his family to compensate the victim’s family 280 million VND. At the trial, the legal representative of the victim’s family also submitted a petition to reduce the defendant’s sentence.

At the trial, the victim's family representative filed a petition to reduce the defendant's sentence. Photo: HSVA

The representative of the People's Procuracy of Nghe An province, who held the right to prosecute at the trial, affirmed that the prosecution of To Van Tri for the crime of "Murder" with indirect intent was the right person, the right crime, and the right law. The victim's behavior had somewhat depressed the defendant, causing him to lack self-control, leading to his impulsive crime.

Meeting relatives and colleagues during the court's deliberations, To Van Tri could not hide his sobs. The defendant continuously wiped away tears and bowed his head. Sitting not far from her husband, the wife also cried throughout the trial. Since her husband was in trouble, she has been single-handedly supporting the family and apologizing to her neighbors. She also borrowed money from everywhere to compensate for the victim's family's losses, hoping to make up for some of her neighbors' pain.

After the deliberation, the Trial Panel determined that the defendant's murder was a violation of the law and should be strictly punished. However, it is also necessary to consider mitigating circumstances for the defendant such as his honest confession, remorse, and guilt, influencing the family to compensate the victim's representative, and achieving many achievements in his work... Considering the case as a whole, the Trial Panel sentenced the defendant To Van Tri to 6 years in prison for "Murder". Regarding the civil part, the two families had reached an agreement, so the Trial Panel did not consider it.