A KNIFE-WIELDING thug hacked a man to death while his girlfriend egged him on, the High Court heard.
'Chop them to death,' Ngo Thi Hong shouted as her lover, Nguyen Thanh Tung, and others lashed out with hammers and beef knives, according to the testimony of witness Vu Van Tien.
But Mr Justice Ryan was puzzled at the different verdicts passed yesterday on Ngo, 26, and Nguyen, 28, who had both pleaded not guilty to murder and wounding with intent.
The jury found Nguyen guilty of both charges but acquitted Ngo of murder.
She was convicted of wounding.
'Did [the jury] accept part of what [the only witness] said and reject the other part?' Mr Justice Ryan asked.
John Mullick, representing Nguyen, said: 'The jury's verdict on the second defendant simply cannot be reconciled with their verdict on the first [defendant]. In light of their verdict, I will be advising my client to appeal.' According to police, Mr Vu and his girlfriend, Dang Thi Yen, were involved in the sale of contraband cigarettes.
