Unexpected testimony after the fire

From the house fire report

At around 11:30 a.m. on July 30, 2019, when the whole neighborhood was preparing for lunch break, some residents heard screams and black smoke coming from a house in the area. Because the fire broke out quickly and strongly, and the black smoke was intense, local residents immediately reported it to the local authorities.

Receiving the news, the forceFire Policequickly arrived at the scene to organize rescue, together with the people to rescue, take 5 injured victims trapped in the house to the emergency room and organize to extinguish the fire.

Initial investigation into the cause revealed that the house that caught fire belonged to Ms. Nguyen Thi Tr. (born in 1984), in block 10, Quan Bau ward (Vinh city). At the time the house caught fire, Ms. Tr. and her two daughters were in the kitchen and Ms. NTB (born in 1960, Ms. Tr.'s aunt) and her daughter were in the bedroom on the first floor of the house.

Immediately after providing first aid to the victims, the Vinh City Police Department simultaneously coordinated with the professional departments of the Provincial Police and the Vinh City People's Procuracy to organize a crime scene investigation, collect documents and evidence to serve the investigation.

At the time of the search, the properties on the first floor of the house were severely damaged, most of the properties located near the living room door were completely burned. However, the electrical outlets showed no signs of short circuit and fire, and traces of liquid were found near the door. With professional measures, investigators determined that the fire was caused by external factors.

As soon as Ms. Tr. regained consciousness, the investigators coordinated to investigate further abnormalities surrounding the lives of the victims in the fire to narrow down the suspect. It is known that before the incident, Ms. Tr. had a conflict with one person, but because Ms. Tr. did not agree to meet, the suspect left afterward. Suspecting that this was the suspect of the incident, the detectives quickly verified the suspect's identity and residence and made an emergency arrest that night.

However, after committing the crime, the subject quickly fled. With sharp professional measures, in coordination with the launching of a movement to denounce criminals among the masses, at 9:00 a.m. on July 31, 2019, the Vinh City Police Working Group arrested the subject while he was hiding at a hotel in Vinh Tan Ward. The main suspect is Bui Sy Cong (born in 1983), residing in Hamlet 11, Nghi Phu Commune, Vinh City. From the collected documents and evidence, the Vinh City Police Investigation Agency has issued a decision to prosecute the case and prosecute Bui Sy Cong to investigate the act of "Murder".

Irrational "love hatred"

At the investigation agency, Bui Sy Cong bowed his head and confessed that because he was so angry with Ms. Tr., he drove his motorbike to a gas station in Quan Bau ward to buy a 10-liter can of gasoline and then drove it straight to Ms. Tr.'s house. After loudly knocking on the door many times and asking to talk, Ms. Tr. still did not respond. Thinking that he was being disrespected, Cong poured a can of gasoline into the house, lit it on fire and ran away. Discovering the big fire, Ms. Tr. panicked and shouted for everyone to put out the fire, but because the fire spread so quickly, she and everyone else suffered burns and had difficulty breathing.

According to the treatment results at Hospital 115 and Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, all 5 people suffered from 1st and 2nd degree burns, and respiratory failure due to smoke inhalation. As for Cong, during the process of setting the fire, he was also burned by the flames.

It is known that Bui Sy Cong (born in 1983, residing in Nghi Phu commune, Vinh city, Nghe An province) already has a "landing place" in his life, a wife who is nearly ten years younger than him. Every day, Cong works freelance, while his wife runs a small business to take care of their two young children who are growing up. In the eyes of friends and relatives, Cong is a person who takes care of everything, is responsible for his family, wife and children.

Perhaps Cong's marriage would have gone smoothly if Ms. Tr. had not broken up halfway. This woman was Cong's ex-girlfriend. When he learned that his ex-lover was divorced and raising a child alone, Cong showed more concern. At first, it was just questions and encouragement, but gradually the two of them rekindled their old love, even though Ms. Tr. knew Cong had a happy family...

Cong also realized that what he did was wrong, he felt guilty towards his wife and children, but he could not seem to get out of the extramarital relationship. The two secretly went out together and had a child together. This illicit relationship was discovered by relatives, who advised him many times but Cong ignored everything. At this time, Ms. Tr. decided to break up with Cong, so there was a conflict and argument between the two. Unable to call his lover, on the morning of July 30, 2020, Bui Sy Cong went to Ms. Tr.'s house to resolve the conflict and caused the above incident.

The victim filed an appeal.

The first instance trial of Bui Sy Cong for “Murder” was held in March 2020. Here, Bui Sy Cong admitted to the crime. Regarding the motive, the defendant stated that he acted out of anger and did not intend to kill. During his detention, the defendant felt guilty towards the victim and his wife and children, so Cong asked for a lighter sentence to have a chance to correct his mistakes and start his life over.

Sitting at the other table, Cong's young wife had no expression on her face. As a woman, as a wife, she had the right to be angry at her husband's philandering and betrayal, but she endured...

The court of first instance determined that Bui Sy Cong's act of pouring gasoline on Ms. Tr.'s bedroom door and setting it on fire was dangerous to the lives of others. Cong knew clearly that the bedroom had only one entrance and exit, and that there were many people in the room at the time. The fact that Ms. Tr. and the other four people did not die was beyond Cong's control, so the prosecution of the defendant for "Murder" was in accordance with the law. Considering the case as a whole, the court sentenced Bui Sy Cong to 13 years in prison.

However, believing that the sentence given by the court of first instance was too harsh, the defendant appealed for a reduction in his sentence. At the appeal hearing, defendant Cong stated that in 2016 and 2018, he had helped traffic accident victims, with confirmation from the local authorities. In addition, in 2019, Cong helped the Duc Co District Police (Gia Lai Province) solve a drug case.

Not only that, Ms. Tr. also filed an appeal to reduce the defendant's sentence. Attending the trial, the victim said that after the first instance trial, the defendant's family had already paid the civil compensation, so they did not request anything more. Other victims in the case also filed a petition to reduce the defendant Cong's sentence.

According to Ms. Tr., after the unfortunate incident, she has now forgiven Cong for what he did to her. This woman hopes the court will reduce the sentence so that the defendant will soon have a chance to correct his mistakes and her child will soon be able to see his father again. The victim's humane statements made Cong bow his head and remain silent. The Court of Appeal stated that at this trial, the defendant presented many new details, so there was sufficient basis to accept the appeal of the defendant and the victim.

Therefore, the appellate court decided to amend the first instance judgment, sentencing Bui Sy Cong to 10 years in prison for "Murder". With his sentence reduced by 3 years, Cong's path back to his family and society was shortened. However, the lesson of fidelity and monogamy in this case is always a reminder to everyone. Do not let an extramarital relationship, do not live by blind instinct and end up violating the law, causing many people to suffer.

An Quynh