Wake Forest man charged with wife's murder faces life in prison

A Wake Forest man charged with stabbing his wife faces life in prison without parole or the death penalty.

Xuan Thanh Pham, 63, appeared in court Monday, one day after he was charged with the murder of his wife, 58-year-old Hue Thi Lu’o’ng.

Investigators say Pham stabbed Lu’o’ng in a domestic-related incident on Sept. 5 around 11:24 a.m. on the 8800 block of Ligon Mill Road in Wake Forest.

Lu’o’ng died from her injuries at a local hospital later in the day.

Pham was not charged until Sept. 17 because investigators were investigating if self-defense was involved by one or both parties.

Family members who attended his court appearance Monday sobbed as Pham, wearing a white and orange jumpsuit, used a walker to enter the courtroom.

Pham started screaming and wailing at one point, bursting into tears and nearly falling to the ground.

The family was escorted out of the courtroom.

Pham spoke through a Vietnamese interpreter. He was appointed a capital defender, and his next court date was scheduled for Oct. 9.

Pham remains in the Wake County Detention Center without bond.

Deputies say the investigation is ongoing.