Vietnamese community reacts to Luong

BAYOU LA BATRE, Ala. - Tiem Tran has a hidden pain. In 1988, Tran said a hurricane took the life of his 15-year-old son. Having lost a child, Tran can't believe how Lam Luong could do what the jury just found him guilty of.

"They're human," Tran said. "They're young people. They didn't know nothing."

The owner of an Asian market in Bayou La Batre, Tran is considered by many area residents as the Vietnamese community spokesman. "The community has 250 families," said Tran. "The community has never seen or heard anything like that before in my life."

Because of that, Tran's son, Charlie, said many customers have strong opinions about Luong. "Main thing I hear a lot of is the father should be done the same way," said the younger Tran.

Thursday's verdict may close another chapter in this harrowing tale, but the story is still far from over for many in the Vietnamese community.

"We'll be at a little more comfort," said Charlie, "but thinking about the family, that's something they'll have to live with the rest of their lives for."