PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Two men involved in the beating and stabbing death of Army veteran Brett Berdini were found guilty on Tuesday of aggravated assault, as part of the mob of nearly a dozen people.
In October 2018, Brett Berdini and his girlfriend were walking near 10th and Race streets in Chinatown. He got into an argument with a driver while crossing the street, who then sped off.
The pair continued on their way, but that’s when prosecutors say a separate group of people exchanged words with and confronted them. Then, the mob threw the first punch.
Video shows Berdini — who had just returned home from two tours in Iraq — and his girlfriend being backed into a wall and surrounded by the mob. They beat, stomped, kicked and eventually stabbed the 28-year-old.
After two surgeries, Berdini died in the hospital. The mob also broke his girlfriend’s nose.
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Detectives pulled surveillance and cellphone video and eventually identified everyone in the melee. In all, 11 people were charged with Berdini’s death.
Six within the mob unexpectedly pleaded guilty to aggravated assault charges on Monday, just before they were set to go to trial for third degree murder.
Victor Yan, 28, admitted to fatally stabbing Berdini twice, including once in the heart. Earlier this year, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 26 ½ to 53 years.
Six others — Vyreak Oum, 29; Samuel Sithisong, 39; Lena Hyunh, 27; Chanybol Chea, 26; Monica Thon, 25; and Dat Hyuhn, 30 — all pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and conspiracy charges, instead of their scheduled trial on third-degree murder charges.
Monica Thon and Lena Hyuhn were additionally charged and pleaded guilty to assault for breaking the nose of the girlfriend.
Eight of the defendants are now expected to be sentenced on October 4.
Two teens also pleaded guilty to assault charges in juvenile court.