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Vietnamese Woman: Sometimes, love can turn dark. This is the tragic story of Nguyen Ngoc Giau, a Vietnamese woman who stabbed her boyfriend to death in a moment of jealousy at Ang Mo Kio.
The court has given her life imprisonment, and now she is asking whether she can appeal that decision. In this post, we’ll explore what happened, how the trial proceeded, and what the future may hold — all in simple language you can easily follow.
What Happened That Night?
The Fatal Attack in the Corridor
Vietnamese Woman: Shortly before 1:00 am on 15 July 2021, Nguyen stabbed her boyfriend, Cho Wang Keung, outside his flat’s door in Block 562, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3.
This was in the common corridor of the building. Both of them suffered multiple stab wounds and were rushed to Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Sadly, Mr. Cho died later.
Scene at the Flat
When the police arrived:
- They found both Nguyen and Mr. Cho lying in a pool of blood in the corridor.
- Mr. Cho was lying across Nguyen.
- Despite medical efforts, Mr. Cho was declared dead in the hospital around 7:15 am.
Their Relationship: From Roommates to Romance to Ruin
Vietnamese Woman: Nguyen first rented the flat from Mr. Cho in 2020 and initially slept in the living room. Over time:
- They started dating and eventually shared a bedroom.
- Their relationship became turbulent: they argued almost every day and fought about five times a week.
- By July 2021, Mr. Cho reportedly wanted to break off the relationship and asked Nguyen to move out.
The Spark: Jealousy Over a Beer Promoter
Vietnamese Woman: Trouble escalated when Mr. Cho invited friends over on 12 July 2021. One guest was a female beer promoter — someone Nguyen had seen before in a close situation with Mr. Cho (she had seen her sitting on his lap).
On 14 July, Nguyen messaged and called him more than 30 times, accusing him of meeting this woman. One text even said “446 good” — a reference to a coffee shop she believed he had visited with the beer promoter.
That night, Nguyen drank ten cans of beer, sharpened a knife, and waited for Mr. Cho’s return.
The Deadly Confrontation
When Mr. Cho returned just after midnight, he came with another male flatmate. Around 12:50 am, Nguyen confronted him near the flat entrance:
- She recorded video on her phone, accusing him of cheating.
- When he ignored her and asked the other tenant to call police, Nguyen went inside, picked up the knife, and attacked.
- She shouted “I love you” just before and during the stabbing.
- The male tenant took photos of the attack; then Nguyen turned on him, forcing him to escape.
- Finally, she stabbed herself.
Defence Argument vs Court Decision
What the Defence Claimed
Nguyen’s lawyers said:
- She was very drunk and lost control.
- Her relationship with Mr. Cho was unhealthy because of constant fights.
- She should be convicted of a lesser crime (culpable homicide, not murder).
They argued her intoxication prevented her from forming the intent to kill.
What the Court Ruled
Vietnamese Woman: Judge Dedar Singh Gill rejected those claims:
- He said Nguyen’s actions were deliberate and purposeful.
- Her level of intoxication was not high enough to stop her from knowing what she was doing.
- She had armed herself with a knife and attacked in stages, which showed planning and decision-making.
- Therefore, her act was murder, not a lesser offense.
Sentence & Appeal
Vietnamese Woman: Because the prosecution did not ask for the death penalty, and since caning cannot be applied to women under Singapore’s law, life imprisonment was the only penalty left.
After the verdict, Nguyen asked (through an interpreter) if she could appeal. The judge advised that she discuss appeal options with her lawyer.
Comparison: Claims vs Court Findings
Here’s a quick table comparing the defence’s claims and what the court found:
| Claim by Defence | Court’s Finding |
|---|---|
| She was extremely drunk and lost control | She was intoxicated but not to the level that removed her intent |
| The relationship was unhealthy and full of fights | Court agreed it was turbulent, but actions showed planning |
| She acted impulsively in a sudden fight | Court found a chain of deliberate decisions |
| She should be convicted of a lesser charge | Court held it was murder, not a lesser offence |
Vietnamese Woman: In short, Nguyen Ngoc Giau was sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted of murdering her boyfriend in a fit of jealousy. The court rejected her defence that she was too drunk to intend the murder.
Now, she plans to appeal the verdict, but at this stage, the life sentence stands firm. This case is a stark reminder of how emotional turmoil and poor choices can have lifelong consequences.