First instance trial of the horrific massacre in Dan Phuong

The defendant brought to trial at this session is Nguyen Van Dong (born in 1966, residing in Hong Ha commune, Dan Phuong district, Hanoi), prosecuted by the Hanoi People's Procuracy for the crime of "Murder", according to the provisions of Article 123, Clause 1, Points a and b - Penal Code 2015.

Dong is the subject who caused the massacre of his younger brother's family, killing 4 people 3 months ago, causing a stir in public opinion.

Murder from border land conflict

According to the indictment, Nguyen Van Dong is the older brother of Mr. Nguyen Van Hai (born in 1969, living next to Dong's house). Mr. Hai and Mr. Dong were given two pieces of land by their parents and built separate houses next to each other. In 2016, Mr. Hai bought more land from Mr. Nguyen Van Men (Dong and Hai's older brother). This land runs from Mr. Hai's house to Mr. Dong's house. In daily life, Dong and Mr. Hai often have many conflicts related to disputes over agricultural land rights and the 0.5 meter wide land that Mr. Hai bought from Mr. Men next to Dong's house.

At around 8:00 p.m. on August 29, 2019, Mr. Nguyen Van Hiep (born in 1993, Mr. Hai's son) came to Dong's house to inform him that in a few days his family would build a house on the land they bought from Mr. Men. Mr. Hiep also asked Dong if he had any questions about the boundary between the two houses. At that time, Dong thought that this matter should be discussed by Mr. Hiep's parents, so Dong sent Mr. Hiep away.

At this time, Dong thought that the conflict between the two families was due to the fault of Mr. Hiep and Mrs. Doan Thi Viet (born in 1970, Mr. Hai's wife) because these two people had instigated Mr. Hai, causing the two brothers to have a conflict. From then on, the subject had the intention of killing Mrs. Viet and Mr. Hiep to take revenge.

At about 7:30 a.m. on September 1, 2019, Nguyen Van Dong brought a knife about 40 cm long, 6 cm wide, sharp tip, wooden handle, and wrapped the knife in a blue shirt before going to Mr. Hai's house.

As soon as he arrived at his brother's house, Dong saw Mrs. Viet riding a motorbike out of the yard and used a knife to slash her, causing her to collapse on the spot. Dong then continued to use a knife to kill Mr. Hai; Ms. Nguyen Thi Bac (28 years old, Mr. Hai's daughter); Ms. Do Thi Hong Nhung (24 years old, Mr. Hai's daughter-in-law) and Nguyen Do Huyen My (Mr. Hai's granddaughter, 1 year old).

During the process of killing his younger brother's family, Dong met some neighbors and relatives who came over to beg for mercy for the victim. When the frenzy of killing broke out, Dong pointed his knife at each person and said: "Whoever tries to stop me, I will kill them."

The incident left Mr. Hai and Ms. Bac dead on the spot, while the other three were taken to the hospital for emergency treatment. However, Huyen My and Ms. Viet died shortly after due to severe injuries; Ms. Hong Nhung is out of danger.

Trial points as a deterrent lesson, preventive education

Today's trial is expected to last one day. The trial panel consists of five people: two judges, three people's assessors, chaired by Judge Tran Nam Ha (Deputy Chief Justice of the Criminal Court, Hanoi People's Court).

Previously, on October 15, the three prosecution agencies of Hanoi City agreed to bring the above case to trial as a lesson for general deterrence and prevention.

At the same time, this is a case in which public opinion believes that the role of the Party Committee, local authorities and departments, branches and organizations at the grassroots level is very weak. Because the land conflict in Dong's family has occurred for a long time, but the locality has not fulfilled its responsibilities and that is one of the reasons for this heartbreaking case.