The apology of an old woman who committed two crimes at the same time

That was the apology of the 76-year-old defendant who committed two crimes at the same time: "Gambling" and "Illegal drug trafficking".

Since early morning, a group of people had come to Courtroom No. 1 of the Nghe An Provincial People’s Court. They were the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of the elderly defendant who was about to be brought to trial. Everyone’s face showed sadness as they were about to meet their loved ones in court.

As the truck drove straight into the court yard, an elderly, thin, small defendant was brought into the courtroom. Her short, brightly dyed hair made her look younger than her age. Defendant Phan Thi Minh Chinh (76 years old), residing in Trung Do ward (Vinh city) was brought to trial for two crimes: “Illegal transportation of narcotics” and “Gambling”.

It is worth mentioning that this is the second time this defendant has appeared in court. Previously, in 2006, Phan Thi Minh Chinh was sentenced to 18 years in prison for "illegally buying and selling drugs". After more than 12 years of serving her sentence, Chinh was released from prison early. She started her life over at the age of 71, with many children and grandchildren, but the years of living in "prison food and fate" have not made her falter. Instead, Chinh was once again discovered by the authorities to have committed two crimes at the same time.

The case file shows that on the morning of July 27, 2022, Chinh and 3 friends including Nguyen Van Son (61 years old), Nguyen Van Hung (67 years old) and Hoang Thi Thanh (60 years old), all residing in Vinh City, invited each other to gamble using "phom" cards, each game from 50,000 to 250,000 VND. While the subjects were gambling on the gambling mat, they were caught red-handed by the police.

The investigation agency determined that the gambling money of the subjects was more than 15 million VND. Of which, Chinh had 3 million VND; Son had 5.5 million VND; Hung had 1.9 million VND and Thanh had 5 million VND.

On the same day, the police urgently searched Phan Thi Minh Chinh's house and discovered 2 heroin cakes (more than 700 grams) in the wardrobe. Chinh stated that this was the amount of drugs that she was hired to transport for a woman in Que Phong district for 20 million VND. However, before Chinh could bring it to Quang Binh as promised, the police discovered it.

With the above actions, Chinh was simultaneously prosecuted and brought to trial for two crimes of "Gambling" and "Illegal transportation of narcotics". Meanwhile, the three defendants Son, Hung, and Thanh were prosecuted for the crime of "Gamble".

During the trial, the defendant Chinh confessed his crimes. He admitted that he had agreed to transport drugs from Nghe An to Dong Hoi city (Quang Binh) for a woman he knew in Kim Son town. Chinh said he knew this woman from the times he went there to sell bamboo shoots after being released from prison. Although he had received the drugs, he had not yet taken them to Quang Binh because he was waiting to receive his payment.

Regarding the gambling crime, the 76-year-old defendant admitted all wrongdoings. The three co-defendants also confessed and admitted their gambling crimes. The defendants stated that it has been nearly a year since the gambling was discovered by the police, and they did not dare to go anywhere because of their inferiority complex and shame in front of their children, in-laws, and neighbors. Their consciences were always tormented by their wrongdoings, which had set a bad example for their children and grandchildren. The defendants promised not to repeat the offense and considered this a memorable lesson in life.

Having the last word, defendant Chinh clasped his hands and stated clearly: “At this moment, I repent and correct my mistakes, but it is too late. I am nearly 77 years old, so the time for me to repent is only a matter of months and years.”

Having said that, Chinh bowed his head and then choked up, continuing: Let me bow my head and repent for my wrongdoings. I have already paid a very high price, and now I have to pay the price with the rest of my life in prison. I apologize to my children and relatives for causing everyone to be affected... Then Chinh turned to look at his children and grandchildren who came to attend the court. Finally, this defendant asked the court to consider reducing his sentence and did not forget to thank the defense attorney who had defended him in court.

In this case, the defendant Chinh has aggravating circumstances of dangerous recidivism, but the defendant's repentance and old age are mitigating circumstances. Therefore, the court sentenced Phan Thi Minh Chinh to 20 years in prison for "Illegal transportation of narcotics" and 9 months in prison for "Gambling". The defendant must serve a total sentence of 20 years and 9 months in prison.

For the defendants convicted of gambling, the court sentenced Nguyen Van Son and Hoang Thi Thanh each to 7 months in prison but suspended the sentence; defendant Nguyen Van Hung was fined 20 million VND.

The trial ended, defendant Chinh folded his hands in front of his chest and bowed to the panel of judges before leaving the court. Below, the defendant's children and relatives sobbed as they sent their mother, grandmother and great-grandmother to prison for the second time in their old age.