'Stepmother' Nguyen Vo Quynh Trang receives death sentence.

After a day of trial in the case of the "stepmother and biological father" who tortured an 8-year-old girl to death, the Family and Juvenile Court (Ho Chi Minh City People's Court) sentenced defendant Nguyen Vo Quynh Trang to death, Nguyen Trung Kim Thai to 3 years in prison for "Torturing another person" and 5 years in prison for "Concealing a crime," for a total sentence of 8 years in prison.

Earlier, defending herself, defendant Trang tearfully admitted to torturing her lover's daughter to death, stating that her actions deserved the death penalty and accepting the sentence. The defendant acknowledged her罪行 (criminal actions) and expressed remorse: "During my detention, I have been very remorseful. I beg the court to consider giving me a chance to turn over a new leaf, so that I can return to care for my mother and younger sibling," Trang said regretfully.

Defendant Nguyen Vo Quynh Trang while awaiting the judges' deliberation.

The lawyer defending Trang argued that he had clearly observed the defendant's remorse. Throughout her detention, Trang observed a vegetarian diet as penance for her actions. The defendant did not justify or explain the reasons for abusing the child. It was simply due to a lack of foresight and failure to foresee the consequences. Therefore, the lawyer argued that the sentence proposed by the Prosecutor's Office for Trang was too harsh.

Regarding Nguyen Kim Trung Thai, the defendant stated that the incident was a great loss and a valuable lesson for himself and his family, and requested the court to consider a lighter sentence so that he could return home to care for his remaining child.

Defendant Nguyen Kim Trung Thai also offered his apologies to Ms. H. (the mother of child VA), his family, and everyone else for the mistakes he had made. "I ask for public forgiveness; this is a huge loss. I hope the court will give me the lightest possible sentence so that I can return home soon, rectify the consequences, and make amends for my remaining child," defendant Thai said.

Defendant Nguyen Trung Kim Thai.

Meanwhile, the victim's family's lawyer requested that the court severely punish Thai. According to lawyer Tran Thi Ngoc Nu, who is defending the rights of the 8-year-old girl, the case is a typical example of domestic violence and child abuse. The defendant Thai admitted to repeatedly witnessing Trang stripping her daughter naked and beating her, pulling her hair, and breaking her teeth... Thai did not intervene and even participated in beating the child.

Given Thai's actions, the lawyer petitioned the Ho Chi Minh City People's Court to return the case for further investigation, requesting a change in the charge against Nguyen Kim Trung Thai from "Torturing others" to "Murder".

On the part of the prosecutor's representative, in response to the self-defense statements of Nguyen Trung Kim Thai and the lawyers representing the defendants, the prosecutor's representative stated that this was an extremely heartbreaking case, and nothing could compensate for the victim. "The victim is dead, how can we make amends!?", the prosecutor's representative said. The prosecutor's representative assessed the defendant Trang's actions as cruel… and maintained the proposed sentence.

People came to watch the trial.

Before the deliberation, the two defendants were given the opportunity to speak their final words. Defendant Trang wept and stated that she was fully aware of her actions and recognized her guilt… She hoped the court would give her a chance to repent for her crimes.

In his self-defense, Nguyen Trung Kim Thai also said, "I understand very well my wrongdoing, I understand my weakness and inappropriate intervention that led to serious consequences, and the losses I have suffered have tormented me throughout this time," and asked the court to reduce his sentence so that he could return home to make amends and take care of his son.

Bui Thanh