Death sentence for teacher who murdered colleague because of rejected engagement

Today, August 14, the High People's Court in Ho Chi Minh City opened an appeal trial, accepted the protest and appeal of the victim, and sentenced defendant Vo Minh Thang (born in 1991, residing in District 11, Ho Chi Minh City) to death for murder. The victim murdered by Thang was the defendant's lover and colleague.

Defendant Thang was sentenced to death.

At around 10:45 a.m. on April 23, 2018, Thang met Ms. T. at school to talk and mend their relationship, but the female teacher still did not agree and the two argued.

After that, Ms. T. took her motorbike home, while Thang followed her on his motorbike. When they arrived at the Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe canal embankment park on Truong Sa street (through Binh Thanh district), Thang forced Ms. T.'s motorbike to the side of the road to continue talking and the two continued to argue.

In a fit of rage, Thang pulled out a knife from the trunk of his motorbike and stabbed Ms. T. multiple times, causing her death. After killing Ms. T., Thang got on his motorbike and intended to commit suicide at Binh Loi Bridge, but he reconsidered and turned himself in to the Binh Thanh District Police Station to surrender.

For his actions, Thang was sentenced to life in prison for murder by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Court. After the first instance verdict, the Chief Prosecutor of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Procuracy appealed to increase the sentence for defendant Thang.

The victim's family has filed an appeal requesting the appellate court to sentence defendant Thang to death. Defendant Thang also filed an appeal requesting a reduction in his sentence.

At the trial, when given the last word, defendant Thang apologized to the victim's family for taking the life of his loved one in a moment of anger; he asked the panel of judges to consider reducing his sentence to give him a chance to start his life over, to take care of and show filial piety to his mother.

Defendant Thang in court

After deliberation, the panel of judges determined that the defendant was a teacher who should have respected the law and ethics, but because of a small conflict in life, he took the victim's life. The defendant's actions showed hooliganism and he carried out the act in a drastic manner. The case caused outrage in society and affected the education sector, so it must be dealt with seriously.

The first instance judgment stated that the defendant's confession was incorrect, did not consider the case in its entirety, and had many shortcomings. Therefore, the panel of judges decided to sentence defendant Thang to death.

When the jury had just announced the verdict, defendant Thang fainted right on the witness stand.