Death penalty for two men who murdered a driver and left his body in a trailer

After killing a male trailer driver, Lien and his accomplice left the body behind the seat and drove off to sell the 34 tons of stolen steel.

On September 27, the People's Court of Bac Ninh province opened the first instance trial of Nguyen Minh Lien (34 years old) and Chuong Viet Cuong (38 years old, also known as Se Lat) for murder and robbery. In connection with the case, Hoang Quang Manh (34 years old, Director of Dong Do Construction Materials Company Ltd.) was prosecuted for receiving property obtained by others through criminal acts.

Lien and Cuong at the investigation agency: Photo: Provided by the police.

According to the accusation, Lien knew Chu Van Phong because they used to drive trailers together. When she learned that Phong was hired to transport steel from Hai Duong to Hanoi, Lien discussed with Cuong to rob him, preparing a knife and rope to strangle him.

On February 14, Lien hitched a ride with Phong to Hanoi. After a distance of five kilometers, Lien asked Cuong to come along. The car continued for about 50 kilometers, on Highway 5, Lien asked Phong to stop the car for Cuong to get off. As soon as the car stopped, as previously agreed, the two men murdered the driver despite all the victim's pleas.

According to authorities, Mr. Phong was a tall, strong man but could not resist the two assassins.

Lien and Cuong left Phong's body in the rest area behind the driver's seat, drove to Manh's store in Gia Lam district (Hanoi) to sell all 34 tons of steel. The agreed price was 322 million VND, but knowing that the steel was stolen, Manh only agreed to buy it for 230 million VND and paid 30 million VND in advance.

Returning to Thua town (Luong Tai district, Bac Ninh), they abandoned the car and Phong's body and then split up to escape with the money.

The scene of the abandoned car. Photo: Contributor.

On February 16, people discovered Phong's body and reported it to the police. On February 18, Lien and Cuong were arrested.

At the trial, the jury judged the defendants' actions to be cruel and sentenced them both to death. Manh received a three-year prison sentence.

According to VNE