Woman who chipped the edge of a stone table escapes prison

The appellate court partially revised the verdict, considering that the defendant's actions were spontaneous and simple and the consequences were not serious.

Today, the People's Court of Ha Nam province continued the appeal hearing of Le Thi Trang (29 years old, Phu Ly city) for intentionally damaging a stone table at a karaoke bar.

After more than an hour of deliberation, the judge sentenced Trang to 9 months in prison but suspended the sentence. According to the court, the sentence was well-founded, but the defendant was aware of his actions, had compensated 6 million VND to remedy the consequences, and the victim asked for a lighter sentence. The nature of the actions was not serious, and the defendant had a clear address, so there was no need to sentence him to prison.

Trang was pleased with the appellate court's ruling and said she would try to work to raise her child.

According to the first instance verdict, on the evening of February 3, Trang called and went to Thanh Ha karaoke bar and got into a fight with the owner over a room reservation. While Trang was being attacked by Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Ha and some other people in the bar, she used a glass cup to smash the stone table. As a result of Trang's actions, the table had a chipped edge, causing more than 2 million VND in damage. The People's Court of Phu Ly city sentenced Trang to 12 months in prison for intentionally damaging property.

Previously, in the argument, Trang’s lawyer argued that his client was not guilty. The damage of more than 2 million VND was calculated for the entire stone table, while only the table top was broken. The table was later asked back by Ms. Ha herself from the investigation agency, then had someone glued and used.

“The valuation agency’s conclusion that the table cannot be used is inconsistent with the charge of intentionally damaging property, not destroying property,” Mr. Thanh stated, adding that the actual damage to the stone table was more than one million VND.

The lawyer also rejected the valuation agency representative's view that asset depreciation does not apply to individuals and households. "There is no circular stipulating that household assets cannot be discounted, while this is an old table," Mr. Thanh argued.

The defendant also stated that Ms. Ha and some people in the shop attacked and injured her with knives. "At the time of the fight, 7-8 people held my head down, kicked me, and did not let me leave the shop," she said.

According to VNE