Woman Testifies About Tumultuous Relationship in Murder Trial

A woman, Nguyen Ngoc Giau, testified about her turbulent relationship with her boyfriend, Mr. Cho Wang Keung, marked by violence and alcohol abuse. She is accused of murdering him on July 15, 2021, at their Housing Board block. Mr. Cho died from stab wounds.

Nguyen, a Singapore permanent resident, shared that she met her husband in Singapore in 2010 and they married shortly after, having two children together. She last saw her children in 2019 and has been legally married to her husband. She began a relationship with Mr. Cho in 2020, renting a room in his flat.

Describing her relationship with Mr. Cho, Nguyen stated they frequently drank and quarreled, often fighting multiple times a week. She recounted several serious altercations, including one where she was beaten and injured, and another where she was physically restrained while Mr. Cho took her belongings. In a third incident, she was involved in a physical fight with Mr. Cho after asking him to buy her a plane ticket back to Vietnam.

Nguyen's lawyer questioned her about the events leading up to the fatal incident. She testified that she had asked to break up with Mr. Cho again on July 12, 2021. On the following day, she bought beer and drank into the evening, locking herself in her room to avoid a fight. She stated that she did not remember much of the events, attributing this to being drunk.

On July 14, 2021, Nguyen recalled being scolded by Mr. Cho for locking the bedroom door the night before. She also remembered going out to buy more beer. She was shown video footage of herself in the kitchen, where she recalled taking a knife to sharpen it, intending to harm herself. She stated that she missed her children and her deceased father. She did not recall making numerous calls and sending text messages to Mr. Cho that day, nor did she remember buying beer from a minimart.

Nguyen was shown CCTV footage from the kitchen and a video she took on her phone, which captured an interaction with Mr. Cho and another tenant. She stated that she did not remember these events. The trial continues.