Thread: Two Tourists Brutally Murdered on Koh Tao, One Raped: Police Spark Thailand Manhunt

taken from Jhead twitter

murder trial today. Defence have Aust forensic expert but she can't testify till police show documents that back their DNA tests

Originally Posted by Horatio Hornblower

“The clothes on Hannah’s body are very important evidence that should have been tested to determine whether there was DNA on them. But the investigator chose not to submit this, the reason we will never know,” said Mr Chomphuchat.

Because there is a good chance that the real killers DNA are on them.
Aka Mon Sod and the gang.

Originally Posted by Horatio Hornblower

witnesses don't need to be invited.

What did the British forensic expert witness?

Family of murdered UK backpacker sit in on final trial sessions
Print
By Michael Sainsbury | Wednesday, 23 September 2015
1
The family of British backpacker Hannah Witheridge is attending the final hearings of the trial of her alleged killers. Two Myanmar migrant workers stand accused of the murder and rape of the 23-year-old tourist and the murder of David Miller, 24, on the holiday island of Koh Tao a year ago.

Sue Witheridge, the victim’s mother, appeared in the Koh Samui court yesterday. She is the first member of the family to attend since the trial began in July with Ms Witheridge’s father and brother present as graphic descriptions and images of the killings were presented.

Making the journey from Hemsby in Norfolk, Ms Witheridges’ parents and siblings sat in the small courtroom for the 16th of 18 scheduled hearings. They heard testimony from an independent forensics expert who appeared to undermine the prosecution’s case against Ko Wai Phyo and Ko Zaw Lin, both 22, from Rakhine State.

The bodies of Ms Witheridge and Mr Miller were found in the early hours of September 15 battered to death on the popular Sairee beach, according to the prosecution.

Both defendants, who could be sentenced to death if convicted, deny the charges and have accused the Thai police of torturing them into making false confessions. The police, whose competence in handling the investigation has been challenged by the defence, deny the accusations.

Worawee Waiyawuth, forensics officer at the independent Central Institute of Forensic Science (CFIS), yesterday confirmed testimony provided to the court on September 15 by Thailand’s chief forensic pathologist Porntip Rojanasunan that no DNA from the two accused had been found on the alleged murder weapon, a garden hoe.

Mr Worawee explained that tests undertaken by the CIFS at the request of the defence revealed the DNA of two people – a male and a female. But further tests on the male DNA found it to be the DNA of two men.

But the male DNA matched neither of the accused, nor a third Myanmar man identified as Ko Maung Maung who was alleged to have been with the defendants near the scene of the crime in the hours before it occurred. Ko Maung Maung was involved in the investigation in its early stages, but his present whereabouts are unknown.

Thai police had previously told the court that they had never tested the hoe for DNA.

A senior police officer told the court a search for fingerprints had been unsuccessful. However, in her testimony Ms Porntip rejected the argument that fingerprints could not be taken from wooden objects.

DNA tests by CIFS on a sandal and a bag found at the scene of the crime also failed to provide a match with either of the defendants.

Mr Worawee initially said that the CIFS was unable to confirm the blood residue on the hoe was from Ms Witheridge, as they had not been provided with her DNA profile by Thai police.

But after cross examination in the court, the prosecution provided the DNA profile, which matched the samples.

“The forensics expert expanded on Ms Porntip’s testimony on the weaknesses of the DNA evidence provided by the prosecution,” migrant rights advocate Andy Hall, who is part of the defence team, told The Myanmar Times.

Nakhon Chomphuchat, chief lawyer for the defendants, revealed on September 21 that that an international DNA-collection expert would testify in court this week. Thai prosecutors claim that DNA from the accused was found on the body of Ms Witheridge.

“But we also have to focus on whether the DNA collection is in line with international standards, to begin with,” Mr Nakhon told reporters. Representatives from the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok will also appear in court this week for the defence.

The trial is set to finish on September 25, although, according to Mr Hall, it may be extended. A verdict is expected next month.

Family of murdered UK backpacker sit in on final trial sessions

Breakdown of case and costings for defence team, and other info regarding the UK police role whilst in Thailand and its reporting.

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/j...er-case#/story

https://twitter.com/Atomicalandy/sta...738176/photo/1

Some Acume Forensics pictures gait analysis stating running man not Wai Phyo uploaded here

https://m.facebook.com/andy.hall.311...%3Du_0_m&mdf=1

Andy Halls Testimony in court,seems the prosecution were suggesting that his involvement in the case was for personal benefit,read his twitter feed for full info

below his testimony

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?sto...7&id=675065676

Defence asks for more time in British backpacker murders

Koh Samui - Lawyers for two Myanmar migrant workers accused of killing two British tourists on a Thai island appealed for more time on Thursday to prove they were scapegoats innocent of the brutal, high-profile murders.

Hannah Witheridge and David Miller, both in their 20s, werebeaten to death a year ago on the southern holiday island of KohTao, causing outrage in Britain. Witheridge was also raped, apost-mortem examination showed.

Lawyers are trying to convince the judge that Zaw Lin andWin Zaw Htun were framed by police under pressure to solve acase that has caught international attention and hurt Thailand’simage as a tourism haven.

The defence tentatively had until Friday to wrap up itscase, but chief lawyer Nakhon Chomphupat said there wereproblems convincing witnesses to testify as some fearedretribution.

"I don’t think we can have all of the witnesses (beforeFriday)," he told reporters outside the court on Samui island.

"There’s a problem, our informers lack courage to stand aswitnesses because some of them still work on Koh Tao."

Central to the defence is disproving what it sees as apatchy investigation marred by disputed forensics, acontaminated crime scene and selective use of surveillance videoto implicate the accused.

A human rights expert was due to testify on Thursday abouthis own investigation, which lawyers said showed the suspectshad suffered police abuse under interrogation. Another witness,a former lawyer, was expected to testify that false confessionswere forced from the suspects.

Police have stood by their probe and Prime Minister PrayuthChan-ocha has ruled out foul play.

Allegations of torture and police misconduct have caused astir in Britain and its Prime Minister David Cameron raisedconcerns during a meeting with Prayuth, who agreed to allowLondon police to carry out their own internal investigation.

They have refused to disclose their final report to anyoneother than the victims’ families, as a pre-agreed condition.

Many people from Myanmar, known also as Burma, work on theThai holiday islands of Koh Tao, Koh Phangan and Koh Samui, justa short trip from southern Myanmar across a narrow mainlandpeninsular.

The estimated 2.5 million Myanmar workers in Thailandprovide vital remittances. Many complain they suffermaltreatment, including extortion, from Thai police.

Defence asks for more time in British backpacker murders - The Nation

"Our family have returned to Koh Samui for the closing days of trial. As a family we are here to represent our beautiful girl.

Our world changed forever on 15th September 2014. Words cannot begin to explain the journey we have endured, a journey that has no end.

We hope that the reporting of the case offers both Hannah and David their dignity and we ask that we are afforded our privacy to digest the case and the evidence being presented.

Please remember, above all, that Hannah and David were both real people, they were loved by their families and all those that were privileged enough to know them. This story bares no happy ending; their lives were ended brutally that night without sense or reason."

– FAMILY OF HANNAH WITHERIDGE

Norfolk woman found murdered in Thailand - ITV News

I rather think the family are utterly impervious to the reality of this trial. Surely they can't be that stupid?

Originally Posted by Horatio Hornblower

privacy to digest the case and the evidence being presented.

Originally Posted by Seekingasylum

Surely they can't be that stupid?

Blinded by grief? Not after a year, most would want answers.
The sham of a trial has presented no evidence and no answers.

Originally Posted by Seekingasylum

Surely they can't be that stupid?

You would think so...

Originally Posted by Horatio Hornblower

I'd say they have been told to say nothing until the trial ends and the verdict passed.

If it had been my daughter, I doubt I would have that much control...

Me to,though you know what happens if you lose the plot here.

Best to take a few with you, then...Because your life would be miserable knowing the untouchable cnuts are getting away with whatever they want...

^Indeed, when justice fails this is what happens.

Pay enough to the right people and job done.

Although i must admit that CSI fellow and his followers made the Koh Tao gang sweat for a while.

How about those Special Forces teams (was it the Aussies?) that are used for getting children back in dire circumstances?...

But an assault squad, instead...

Any predictions for the verdict of the Trial.?

I say the two lads are going to be set free,the Thais are being hammered on many fronts recently and possibly be set free on some sort of technicality.

some points of interest here,article says how Andy Hall was threatened by governor of prison.

Witness for Myanmar workers accused in murder of British tourists alleges Thai police corruption

Torture and intimidation commonly used by local investigators, says a defence witness for two Myanmar migrant workers accused of murdering two young tourists

BANGKOK — Defence witnesses for two Myanmar migrant workers accused of murdering two young British tourists on a Thai resort island testified Thursday that torture and intimidation are commonly used by local investigators.
The three witnesses — a representative of the National Human Rights Commission, a lawyer who interviewed the defendants, and a fellow migrant worker — all described how a violent and abusive system allegedly caused the suspects to make confessions they later recanted.
Defence lawyer Nakhon Chompuchat said it was a problem for his clients' case that other workers were too scared to testify.
The battered bodies of David Miller, 24, and Hannah Witheridge, 23, were found Sept. 15 last year on the rocky shores of Koh Tao, a scenic island in the Gulf of Thailand known for its scuba diving. Autopsies showed that the young backpackers, who had met on the island while staying at the same hotel, both suffered severe head wounds and that Witheridge had been raped.
Zaw Lin, co-defendant with his friend Win Zaw Htun, testified earlier this month in detail about the brutal methods Thai police allegedly used during their interrogation and how he was threatened with death if he did not confess. The two men, both 22 and bar workers on Koh Tao, acknowledge being on the beach the night the two Britons were killed, but deny any part in the crime. Thai authorities insist DNA evidence proves their guilt.
The defence earlier sought to discredit the Thai authorities' collection and analysis of DNA and other evidence as slipshod at best.
It also had a witness compare the forensic work done on the bodies by Thai authorities to that done later in Britain, and who pointed out significant differences in their findings.
The witness, Andy Hall, an advocate for migrant workers' rights, was given access to the British findings and testified about them on Wednesday.
Hall also alleged that the whole process "from investigation to arrest to detention to prosecution" was violent or abusive, and said he had also experienced threats in connection with the case, including from the governor of the prison where the two defendants were held.
The human rights investigator, Janjira Kanpeang, testified about how the commission investigated the case and found that torture had been used, said Hall and defence lawyer Nakhon.
"When someone's head is covered with a plastic bag, it is torture. When water is dripped on the head for the whole night, it is called torture," Nakhon said.
Narinsak Laitaveewar, a lawyer who interviewed the defendants on behalf of the Lawyers Council of Thailand, spoke about how they recanted their confessions — starting with a note they slipped to him — and the legal ramifications of that.
Hall said he was most impressed by the testimony of one of the defendants' friends, a fellow Myanmar worker, who told of a web of corruption among officials and labour brokers on Koh Tao which protects the business community and leaves migrants vulnerable.
Lawyer Nakhon said the man "talked about how frightening it is in Koh Tao if you were to talk about this case. Nobody talks, nobody wants to talk, nobody dares to talk."
"He even said that when police told you to do something and you don't do it, you will be beaten up," Nakhon said.
Three more witnesses, including from the Myanmar Embassy, are to testify on Friday, which was originally set to be the last day of testimony. But the judge agreed to extend the hearing at the request of the defence , which said it wished to present more witnesses. The length of the extension is to be decided later.
Had testimony ended Thursday, a verdict might have been rendered in October, but an extension may push the date back to the end of the year, Hall said.

Witness for Myanmar workers accused in murder of British tourists alleges Thai police corruption | Metro News

Originally Posted by Horatio Hornblower

I say the two lads are going to be set free,the Thais are being hammered on many fronts recently and possibly be set free on some sort of technicality.

If the two Guys are set free it would show Thailand is actually moving forward with tackling the rampant corruption that flows through this country at every level in society.

If they are convicted it's business as usual.

here's a sample of how the prosecution question witnesses.

Taken from Andy hall facebook page

I was absolutely horrified at the level of degregation or abusive nature of the Koh Tao murder case prosecutor questions to a Myanmar migrant defence witness today at Koh Samui court. For me, this is beyond the bounds of reasonable behaviour by a prosecutor, lawyer or thai government official...
As note talking not allowed in the court every word may not be 100% accurate and I don't insist this is a 100% accurate recollection.
----
Prosecution lawyer: where are you from?
Myanmar migrant: Tavoy region, Myanmar
Prosecution lawyer:you know Rakhine ethnic persons?
Myanmar migrant: only a few, one of my friends works on an overnight boat from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan
Prosecution lawyer: did you agree that Rakhine people like to kill others by beating them over the head?
Myanmar migrant: (cannot remember answer but pretty sure he said no)
Prosecution lawyer: did you know recently that a Myanmar migrant killed their employer
Myanmar migrant: i heard about that, not clear what place

not sure if moving forward more like under pressure.

Originally Posted by terry57

Originally Posted by Horatio Hornblower

I say the two lads are going to be set free,the Thais are being hammered on many fronts recently and possibly be set free on some sort of technicality.

If the two Guys are set free it would show Thailand is actually moving forward with tackling the rampant corruption that flows through this country at every level in society.

If they are convicted it's business as usual.

Originally Posted by Seekingasylum

I rather think the family are utterly impervious to the reality of this trial. Surely they can't be that stupid?

It is quite amazing.

Hannah Witheridge’s family return to Thailand for closing days of trial following breach of legal rights claim

Human Rights Thailand has accused Thai police of breaching the legal rights of the two Burmese men on trial for the murder of Norfolk student Hannah Witheridge, and deliberately leading the detainees during re-enactments of the crime.

Janjira Janpeau, a representative of the organisation, attacked police procedure while giving evidence in court on the island of Koh Samui.

She said it was abominable that both the 22 year-old suspects had been interrogated and made to participate in public and filmed re-enactments of the killing of 23 year-old Ms Witheridge, and fellow British tourist David Miller from Jersey, without any legal representation.

She also said it was clear from the video of one of the re-enactments, played to her in court, that the defendant was being told what to say.

“We heard the translator ask one suspect: “What did you do with the hoe (the alleged murder weapon) afterwards?” The suspect says: “I don’t know”. The translator then says: “You put it under the tree didn’t you.” The suspect was clearly being led,” said the human rights activist.

Human Rights Thailand interviewed the defendants, migrant workers from Myanmar, Wei Phyo and Zaw Lin, at Koh Samui prison while they were on remand. They also interviewed their friend, Mao Mao, who had been with them in the early hours of September 15th last year, on the same beach where Ms Witheridge and Mr Miller were killed.

Janjira Janpeau said Mao Mao told her he had also been beaten by police officers on Koh Tao during three days of detention and interrogation, and that one of the defendants, Zaw Lin, had shown him a wound on his chest after he allegedly confessed to the killings.

“Mao Mao told us his friends were acting very strangely in the presence of a police translator as they told him they did kill the British backpackers. When Mao Mao refused to believe them, and asked them why they had confessed, Zaw Lin pulled up his T-shirt to show him the wound,” she told the court.

Janjira Janpeau also said Human Rights Thailand had summoned the Royal Thai Police to discuss the torture allegations five times, but no officer had ever responded to the summons. The prosecution disputed this evidence, saying Royal Thai Police officers had had a conversation with the president of Human Rights Thailand. She claimed no knowledge of that meeting.

carry on reading family statement as yesterday.

Hannah Witheridge?s family return to Thailand for closing days of trial following breach of legal rights claim - News - Great Yarmouth Mercury