Wake Forest Man Sentenced to up to 20 Years for Stabbing Death of His Wife
WAKE FOREST, N.C. — More than a year after a violent domestic incident that left his wife dead and himself critically injured, 64-year-old Xuan Thanh Pham has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and received a prison sentence of up to two decades.
According to The News & Observer, Pham admitted in court on Feb. 5 to killing his wife, 58-year-old Hue Thi Lu’o’ng, on September 5, 2023. Prosecutors say Pham stabbed Lu’o’ng multiple times inside their Wake Forest home before turning the knife on himself in what appeared to be a murder-suicide attempt.
Plea Deal Reduces Sentence
As part of a negotiated plea arrangement, Wake County Superior Court Judge Bryan Collins sentenced Pham to a minimum of 16 years and a maximum of 20 years and three months in prison. Without the plea deal, a conviction could have carried a harsher penalty.
Court documents show Pham will also undergo substance abuse treatment and mental health evaluations while incarcerated. He was credited with 508 days already served in jail, reducing his time behind bars by more than a year.
Emotional Courtroom Scene
In a previous court appearance on Sept. 16, 2023, Pham, who had been hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after the attack, sobbed openly and at one point raised his hands to the ceiling before covering his face. He reportedly spoke to family members in Vietnamese as deputies escorted him out of the courtroom.
No obituary could be located for Lu’o’ng, and authorities have released few details about what may have led to the deadly confrontation.
Larger Domestic Violence Context
The killing adds to troubling statistics on domestic violence in North Carolina. In 2023, the state recorded 74 homicides and 23 suicides linked to domestic violence, according to data from the N.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Advocates say the case underscores the urgent need for resources and intervention in potentially dangerous domestic situations before they turn deadly.
Current Status
Pham is now serving his sentence at Raleigh’s Central Prison, according to online state prison records. With time already served, he could be released in just over 15 years if he meets parole and good behavior requirements.
Domestic violence affects communities across North Carolina. If you or someone you know is in danger, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. Share your thoughts on how local systems can better prevent tragedies like this in the comments at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
