Love conflict, man poured gasoline and burned down his lover's house

On July 30, at the People's Court of Nghe An province, the Hanoi High People's Court opened a criminal appeal trial of Bui Si Cong (37 years old), residing in Nghi Phu commune, Vinh city, for the crime of murder.

Although he already had a wife and children, Bui Si Cong still had a relationship with Ms. Nguyen Thi. Tr., residing in Quan Bau ward, Vinh city. The two had a child together.

Around the end of July 2019, a conflict arose between Cong and Ms. Tr. about their relationship. At noon on July 30, 2019, Cong went to Ms. Tr.'s house and called her out of the room to talk, but she refused.

Bui Si Cong. Photo: Tran Vu

Then, Cong poured 10 liters of gasoline purchased earlier into the area in front of Ms. Tr's bedroom door and set it on fire.

Ms. Tr. and four others in the room were rescued by people and taken to the hospital for emergency treatment. Ms. Tr. was diagnosed with minor burns and suffocation. The others were also diagnosed with respiratory failure and airway burns due to gasoline suffocation and were discharged after a period of treatment.

At the first instance trial held in March 2020, the People's Court sentenced Bui Si Cong to 13 years in prison for murder.

Disagreeing with the above sentence, Cong filed an appeal for a lighter sentence. The victim also filed an appeal for a lighter sentence for Cong.

At the appeal court, the defendant presented new details such as: in 2016 and 2018, he helped traffic accident victims, with confirmation from the local authorities; In 2019, Cong helped the Duc Co District Police, Gia Lai Province, solve a drug case.

The Court of Appeal determined that the defendant had additional mitigating circumstances, which were grounds for a reduced sentence. Therefore, the Court accepted the defendant's appeal and revised the first instance judgment sentencing Bui Si Cong to 10 years in prison for murder.