A 2,000 VND card game in exchange for a human life and 17 years in prison

On June 27, at the trial hall of the People's Court of Nghe An province, the High Court in Hanoi opened a criminal trial, hearing the appeal of the murder case against Doan Ba ​​Duyen (born in 1961, residing in Lang Thanh commune, Yen Thanh).

According to the indictment and records, late on April 24, 2015, Duyen and a group of people played cards at Mr. Vu Van Anh's house (in hamlet 8, Lang Thanh commune) with each game winning or losing 2,000 VND for... fun.

While playing cards, a conflict arose between Duyen and Mr. Tran Phuc Van (53 years old, resident of Lang Thanh commune). After that, they grabbed the money and wrestled with him. During the fight, Mr. Van bit off part of Duyen's ear, and Duyen bit Mr. Van's hand, leaving it bruised. After being stopped by everyone, both of them went home to sleep.

Defendant Doan Ba ​​Duyen.

At around 1:30 a.m. on April 25, 2015, Duyen went to Mr. Van's house with a sickle. When she arrived, Duyen took a piece of mortar and threw it at Mr. Van's main door. Hearing the noise, Mr. Van opened the door but Duyen grabbed his hair, dragged him out into the yard and used the sickle to slash his neck, killing him on the spot.

After learning of Mr. Van's death, Duyen turned herself in to the police. At the trial, Duyen admitted her crime.

On the morning of August 31, 2015, the People's Court of Nghe An Province held a first-instance trial and sentenced Duyen to 17 years in prison for murder. At the same time, the Court ordered Duyen to compensate the victim's family for the loss of health and mental health in the amount of 89 million VND, and to provide for the upbringing of Van's two children until they are adults.

In early September 2015, Duyen appealed the first instance verdict to request a reduction in her sentence.

At the appeal hearing, Duyen failed to present new details to request the Appellate Court to consider reducing her sentence. Therefore, the High People's Court in Hanoi rejected Duyen's appeal and upheld her 17-year prison sentence for murder.

Khanh An