Verdict

While the First Republic government dismissed charges of misconducts and paid indemptions to victims families in 1963, the Military Junta arrested, tried and pressed a death sentence for Major Dang in 1964[1].

Major Dang maintained his and his men's innocence in the cause of deaths. Fifty men were released but the sentence still progressed toward extreme penalty for Major Dang.

The victims of the blasts came from mixed backgrounds and religions. While the media reported the victims were Buddhists, they glossed over the United Nations findings that at least one of the victims was a Catholic[3]. The cause of the blasts were of unknown origin, even until today. Major Đặng, while escaped harm, was implicated because of the his vincinity to the casualties and he was the only Roman Catholic officer in the chain of command. Post-mortem autopsy, performed by Dr. Le Khac Quyen, revealed the corpses were damaged by explosion, not ammunition. MK3 concussion grenades used by Major Đặng's troops were determined to be non-lethal. Dr. Wulff's testimony and medical office corroborated that victims were killed by larger, lethal explosions.

Despite the prosecution's press for the death penalty, Major Dang's lawyer contended that the court could not establish concrete evidence to prove beyond reasonable doubts of his client's alleged crimes. Major Dang concluded his defense by saying he was a victim of a religious conflict[7].

Indictment

International press, including the New York Times, printed that the Military Tribunal sentenced Major Dang to hard labor at Con Son Pennitary with payment to the victims families. The sentence was final and no appeal could be made. Mrs. Dang audibly sobbed, and was helped out of the court room, while Major Dang tried to recompose himself with a broad grin while waving goodbye to the international press corp[7].

On the other hand, the U.S. Congress and United Nations recorded that Major Dang was imprisoned with no formal charges, under Law #10, enacted under First Republic government for people with dubious past or for political reasons[5].

Public Reaction

When the military tribunal pronounced the indictment, sympathetic Catholics and Buddhists lined the streets in protest on the following Monday, prompting many international observers to speculate an internal civil war was about to be erupted. [2][4][6]

References:

1. Death Sentence Asked for Vietnamese Major

2. Religious-political Furor In Viet Nam Sparks Noisy March. Gadsden Times - Jun 8, 1964

3. VIETNAM OFFICER DRAWS LIFE TERM; Convicted of Killing Eight. New York Times - Jun 7, 1964

4. Protest Against Military Rule, 100,000 marched. Keesing's World News - Dec 1, 1964

5. U.S. Senate Report - POW and MIA. 1992. Government Printing Office.

6. The Lotus Unleashed: The Buddhist Peace Movement in South Vietnam, 1964-1966

7. Life Term for Officer in Viet Row.