Alleged Bruce murderer Van Vu pleads not guilty to killing Thi Nguyen

The alleged murder scene at Kinloch Crescent, Bruce in October 2023. Photo: Ian Bushnell.

The elderly man accused of stabbing his partner to death in Bruce earlier this year has pleaded not guilty to his charge of murder.

Van Thanh Vu is accused of murdering 65-year-old Thi Thuy Huong Nguyen at a two-storey home in Kinloch Crescent on 23 October 2023.

Ms Nguyen’s daughter called police and emergency services allegedly arrived to find her with stab wounds from a knife in the kitchen.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr Vu was allegedly found with injuries to his wrists and was unresponsive. He was taken to hospital and then charged several days later.

The 71-year-old did not appear in the ACT Magistrates Court in person on Tuesday (19 December) as he was not required, but his lawyer, Nathan Deakes from Legal Aid, entered a not guilty plea on his client’s behalf.

Thi Thuy Huong Nguyen’s daughter had called police to the scene. Photo: Ian Bushnell.

He also said a forensic procedure had been granted and completed regarding his client.

The prosecutor said due to the nature of the charge and the complications in preparing a brief of evidence for such a charge, she asked for a lengthy adjournment of the matter.

She hoped the brief would be substantially complete in that time.

Magistrate James Lawton remanded Mr Vu in custody and adjourned the matter for a pre-hearing mention to 13 March 2024.

He will appear over audio-visual link at the next occasion and will be assisted by a Vietnamese interpreter.