VietNamNet Bridge - Ho Chi Minh City Court Wednesday handed out death sentences to the two murderers of Phu Nhuan District Party Committee’s deputy secretary Dang Thu Hong last October.

At the second day of the first instance trial for Nguyen Trong Nhan, 31, and Luong Hoai Sang, 21, the Court said it had enough evidence to charge them with murder and robbery.

They both received a death sentence for murder. Besides, Nhan and Sang were given 8 years and 7 years imprisonment respectively for robbery.

The two were also ordered to pay VND224 million (US$10,700) to the family of Dang Thu Hong, VND51 million to Ngo Thi My, head of the district’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment, and VND20 million to My’s daughter, Tran Thu Huong.

Before killing Hong, they badly beat up My and Huong.

The Court concluded that Nhan and Sang committed a mass murder on September 20, 2010 with careful preparation.

The court rejected lawyer Pham Quoc Hung’s argument that Nhan did not plan to kill My and rob her assets.

According to the court, the two young men showed their determination to kill not only Hong but also My and her daughter,Tran Thu Huong.

Hong, who came to My’s house at the time when My and Huong were assaulted by Nhan and Sang, was stabbed 24 times to death by Nhan.

Previously, he beat her with a tennis racket, making her fall down to the floor.

My and Hung were also beaten and stabbed cruelly by the two men, but they fortunately survived the attack.

The survival of My and Huong were against the murderers’ expectation, the court said.

Yesterday, Nhan rejected the accusation that said he planned to kill My for purposes of robbing her.

Nhan said he just wanted to ask My not to sack his wife, Le Thu Thu Hien. He said he only assaulted My after she refused to bid by his request.

However, the court rejected his statement.

When soldiers of the local military headquarters opposite My’s house heard the victims’ screams and rushed to rescue them, Nhan threatened them saying he would kill anyone who approached him.

He only surrendered when armed police showed up at the house, the court said.

After taking all into account, the court concluded a death sentence to both murderers were appropriate.

Source: Tuoi tre