Phuket Bar Girl Killer Seeks Psychiatric Check

[dirtydog]

Phuket Bar Hostess Killer Seeks Psychiatric Check

By Alan Morison
Sunday, August 22, 2010
CONFESSED killer Ronald Fanelli has volunteered for a psychiatric examination as he seeks an explanation for the brutal slaying of Phuket bar hostess Wanpen Pianchai.

With what now seems to be perhaps a case of ironic premonition, Fanelli once played Internet poker using the alias ''Mad Yank.''

The former US Navy officer appeared to be distracted when he was brought before Phuket's media on July 19, two days after his capture. He had been on the run for four weeks and a day since Khun Wanpen vanished from the Sweethearts Bar in Karon.

Many unanswered questions remain about the killing. Mr Fanelli now appears to be keen to have some of those questions answered and has asked his lawyer to apply for a psychiatric examination.

The manhunt for the then-unknown killer of Khun Wanpen began six days after she rode off on a motorcycle with a bearded stranger, when her naked body was found stuffed into a travel bag by a quiet Phuket roadside.

The weeks in Phuket Prison appear to have given Mr Fanelli plenty to think about. Phuketwan was struck back in July at the media presentation by his demeanor.

He appeared distracted. He admitted to killing Khun Wanpen, but described it as ''a horrible, horrible accident.'' Others have been wondering what would lead a sane man to stab a naked woman twice then try to dispose of her body.

Mr Fanelli did say that at the time he picked up the bar hostess, he was distressed at the departure of his Thai wife and child for their home up north, short on cash and apparently helped over the edge by the failure of his Internet connection.

Khun Wanpen, possibly wondering whether he was going to pay her, allegedly became playful but annoying. He stabbed her twice, once in the back and once in the chest.

Khun Wanpen remained alive in Mr Fanelli's company for about 24 hours, according to police. The problem for those still looking for answers is that only Mr Fanelli's version of what took place survives.

If his application succeeds, he will be taken to Surat Thani, where the headquarters for all of south Thailand's police and prison medical procedures are based, for a full psychiatric examination.

Having a killer on the loose in July on Phuket was a prelude to August and another killer on the loose on the island after an expat slaying of a different kind. Police are still hunting English kickboxer Lee Aldhouse over the murder of former US Marine DaShawn Longfellow on August 14.

Phuket Wan

TeakDoor.com - The Thailand Forum Phuket Emergency Phone Numbers

[Davis Knowlton]

Getting started on that insanity defense.

[jojo333]

Why bother, I am no psychiatrist, but this one is a nutter, who needs to be banged up for life.

[dirtydog]

Doubt there is such a defense, most likely going to try to escape

[Nostradamus]

Didn't he claim she tried to stab him first?

[genghis61]

apparently helped over the edge by the failure of his Internet connection

I get irritated but not yet driven to murder by my ongoing poor internet connection.

allegedly became playful but annoying

again . . . annoying?

So I killed her.

[The Bold Rodney]

With what now seems to be perhaps a case of ironic premonition, Fanelli once played Internet poker using the alias ''Mad Yank''.

I don't see anyone complaining about her being killed like they did when the yank got killed!

Having a killer on the loose in July on Phuket was a prelude to August and another killer on the loose on the island after an expat slaying of a different kind.

Its getting to be a rough place for sure!

Police are still hunting English kickboxer Lee Aldhouse over the murder of former US Marine DaShawn Longfellow on August 14.

Any news? Have they caught him yet? He'll be reading this board for sure and preparing his "insannity plea" which of course is always easier if you're a YANK!

[dirtydog]

I get irritated but not yet driven to murder by my ongoing poor internet connection.

Well you should get more angry about it, all it would take is several murders of true and maxnet staff for them to pull their socks up and give us the connections that we actually pay for......

[StrontiumDog]

Others have been wondering what would lead a sane man to stab a naked woman twice then try to dispose of her body.

Because he is insane?

Why wonder. The answer is fairly obvious.

Mr Fanelli did say that at the time he picked up the bar hostess, he was distressed at the departure of his Thai wife and child for their home up north, short on cash and apparently helped over the edge by the failure of his Internet connection.

Yes, the internet going down will do it every time...if you're a total psycho!!!!

Khun Wanpen remained alive in Mr Fanelli's company for about 24 hours, according to police.

Yep, that's pretty mad.

Insanity defense I'm guessing, which I could buy into, as there's lost of evidence to suggest the guy is psychotic. Regardless, he should never be freed. Ever.

Lot of time for him to wonder then.

[Wayne Kerr]

Only a Thai judge could make sense of that PhuketWan drivel ... jesus wept!

[Panda]

"Khun Wanpen remained alive in Mr Fanelli's company for about 24 hours, according to police. The problem for those still looking for answers is that only Mr Fanelli's version of what took place survives"

The way it reads, this arsehole kept the poor girl captive in his room for 24 hours after he stabbed her while she slowly bled to death.

There is a difference between being mad and just plain bad, being upset over poor internet connection doesnt qualify as being criminally insane and not accountable for ones actions.

[Nostradamus]

Sounds like he was on his chinstrap and had no money to pay her after the long time.

[dirtydog]

^^You obviously have never suffered a bad internet connection

[StrontiumDog]

"Khun Wanpen remained alive in Mr Fanelli's company for about 24 hours, according to police. The problem for those still looking for answers is that only Mr Fanelli's version of what took place survives"

The way it reads, this arsehole kept the poor girl captive in his room for 24 hours after he stabbed her while she slowly bled to death.

There is a difference between being mad and just plain bad, being upset over poor internet connection doesnt qualify as being criminally insane and not accountable for ones actions.

No, but stabbing someone twice and then watching them slowly die over a 24 hour period is certainly not sane behaviour. Her suffering must have been immense and I'm sure she would've been conscious for some of it. He would have had to have ignored this extremely distressing situation.

Bad doesn't quite fit the bill.

He's psychotic.

[12Call]

Maybe she did not swallow as she probably suggested in her initial discussion over pending funds due.

[Rural Surin]

Getting started on that insanity defense.

Yeah, he's just crazy about this kind of shite.

[Davis Knowlton]

He didn't stab her and watch her die for 24 hours. All initial press seems to indicate that she stayed with him, of her own volition, for a day or so. Then, for some reason, he snapped and killed her. No less weird, but a bit more accurate than the scenario of watching her bleed out for a day. And yes, he has a screw loose, but I doubt that Thai nut hospitals are any better than Thai prisons. Personally, I hope he does life in one or the other.

[Rural Surin]

No, but stabbing someone twice and then watching them slowly die over a 24 hour period is certainly not sane behaviour. Her suffering must have been immense and I'm sure she would've been conscious for some of it. He would have had to have ignored this extremely distressing situation.

Bad doesn't quite fit the bill.

He's psychotic.

Psychotic. Sociopathic. Insane. Such instilled behaviour and character that lead to deliberate pre-meditated murder that are associated with supposed distressing situations....this could easily describe the trained and conditioned foundation of soldiering - mindless murdering mercenaries for the state. Certainly under war conditions. Yet these murderous activities are perfectly accepted, even understood. In the civil world we'll become anxious, debate, theorize, ponder, and analyze over a handful of gruesome acts of disparity, yet won't give a second thought to mass serial killing adopted by the state - in fact. we romanticize such bravado. A paradoxical limit, it might be.

[Panda]

"Khun Wanpen remained alive in Mr Fanelli's company for about 24 hours, according to police. The problem for those still looking for answers is that only Mr Fanelli's version of what took place survives"

The way it reads, this arsehole kept the poor girl captive in his room for 24 hours after he stabbed her while she slowly bled to death.

There is a difference between being mad and just plain bad, being upset over poor internet connection doesnt qualify as being criminally insane and not accountable for ones actions.

No, but stabbing someone twice and then watching them slowly die over a 24 hour period is certainly not sane behaviour. Her suffering must have been immense and I'm sure she would've been conscious for some of it. He would have had to have ignored this extremely distressing situation.

Bad doesn't quite fit the bill.

He's psychotic.

Not necessarily psychotic. Many sane people have committed similar and even more brutal crimes. Some of them are doing long stretches in jail.

Its not uncommon for murderers to pull the --"I am not responsible because I was nuts at the time" excuse when they get caught.

He might get away with it in a western court if he has a psych history, a good lawyer and a shrink to back up his claim, but I doubt the Thais will be so sympathetic.

[BobR]

^^You obviously have never suffered a bad internet connection

Sort of escape, probably hoping the shrink will give him medication to numb his mind. Drugs can be fun, especially for someone whose only life is sitting in jail all day.

[StrontiumDog]

No, but stabbing someone twice and then watching them slowly die over a 24 hour period is certainly not sane behaviour. Her suffering must have been immense and I'm sure she would've been conscious for some of it. He would have had to have ignored this extremely distressing situation.

Bad doesn't quite fit the bill.

He's psychotic.

Psychotic. Sociopathic. Insane. Such instilled behaviour and character that lead to deliberate pre-meditated murder that are associated with supposed distressing situations....this could easily describe the trained and conditioned foundation of soldiering - mindless murdering mercenaries for the state. Certainly under war conditions. Yet these murderous activities are perfectly accepted, even understood. In the civil world we'll become anxious, debate, theorize, ponder, and analyze over a handful of gruesome acts of disparity, yet won't give a second thought to mass serial killing adopted by the state - in fact. we romanticize such bravado. A paradoxical limit, it might be.

I'm sure that some do "romanticise" it.

I don't.

[Panda]

No, but stabbing someone twice and then watching them slowly die over a 24 hour period is certainly not sane behaviour. Her suffering must have been immense and I'm sure she would've been conscious for some of it. He would have had to have ignored this extremely distressing situation.

Bad doesn't quite fit the bill.

He's psychotic.

Psychotic. Sociopathic. Insane. Such instilled behaviour and character that lead to deliberate pre-meditated murder that are associated with supposed distressing situations....this could easily describe the trained and conditioned foundation of soldiering - mindless murdering mercenaries for the state. Certainly under war conditions. Yet these murderous activities are perfectly accepted, even understood. In the civil world we'll become anxious, debate, theorize, ponder, and analyze over a handful of gruesome acts of disparity, yet won't give a second thought to mass serial killing adopted by the state - in fact. we romanticize such bravado. A paradoxical limit, it might be.

I'm sure that some do "romanticise" it.

I don't.

Yet you excuse responsibility for the callous murder in the opening post based on an internet diagnosis of psychosis? You are a Psychologist Right?

The guy may very well have been nuts at the time, but then again he may well have been just some pissed up agro ex-military dude with a bad temper who panicked and held a dying woman captive in the hope she would recover, --- rather than to immediately face the consequences of his actions. Just making stupid decisions under extreme pressure, (especially if alcohol is involved?), doesnt make one psychotic and therefore unaccountable.

[genghis61]

Phuket Hostess Killer Undergoes Psychiatric Check
By Alan Morison and Chutima Sidasathian
Saturday, September 25, 2010

CONFESSED Phuket murderer Ronald Fanelli is undergoing a psychiatric examination at his own request. He is expected to return to Phuket Prison from a hospital in Surat Thani as soon as his testing is complete.

Mr Fanelli has been undergoing the process since early in September, Phuketwan has learned. The results of the examination could play a key part in any eventual trial for the murder of Phuket bar hostess Wanpen Pianchai.


Mr Fanelli, a former US Navy officer and a poker player of international standing who used the nom de plume ''Mad Yank,'' requested the psychiatric examination and was tranferred to Surat Thani from Phuket about three weeks ago.

Clearly, Mr Fanelli remains disconcerted by his capacity to kill. Khun Wanpen, a hostess at the Sweetheart Bar in Karon, was naked when she was stabbed twice, in the back and the chest.

Mr Fanelli, 37, from New York, stuffed the naked body of the slightly-built mother off two into a travel bag and dumped it by a remote roadside on Phuket, where it was discovered six days later. Khun Wanpen disappeared on June 18 but was not killed until 24 hours later.

What happened in those 24 hours is probably the key to Mr Fanelli's psychiatric examination.

*********
Note: There are six threads running on this topic/murder/Fanelli

[keda]

Let the psychos decide, but if he's insane then lock him up for life in a hospital, and if he isn't then same same but different venue.

The temp insanity defence may work in the West as mitigation for a fit of fury, but in the calm aftermath of her death his was a cool and calculated evil to dispose of her body.

[StrontiumDog]

http://phuketwan.com/tourism/phuket-...ty-card-13273/


Ronald Fanelli: a ''horrible, horrible accident,'' but no details, please
Photo by phuketwan.com/file


Phuket Bar Girl's Killer Plays the Insanity Card

By Chutima Sidasathian and Alan Morison
Thursday, November 18, 2010


AUTHORITIES at Phuket Prison and in Surat Thani continue to puzzle over the change in character in accused murderer and confessed killer Ronald Fanelli.

Phuket sources report that the American international-standard poker player and former US Navy officer appears to have undergone a complete alteration in demeanor since volunteering for a psychiatric examination.

Fanelli confessed to killing Sweetheart Bar hostess Wanpen Pianchai, in somewhat mysterious circumstances. She was picked up from the Karon bar by a bearded stranger on June 18 but was not stabbed to death until 24 hours later.

As part of a deal that Mr Fanelli proved capable of making with police at the time, the details of his version of what took place - the only version, given the death of Khun Wanpen - were to be withheld from the media in exchange for his confession.

Although Khun Wanpen was naked and defenceless, Fanelli told Phuketwan at a media presentation that the killing was ''a horrible, horrible accident'' in which she was somehow stabbed not once but twice, once in the back and once in the chest.

Khun Wanpen, mother of two, was unceremoniously stuffed into a travel bag and dumped beside a road in central Phuket, while Fanelli went into hiding on the island for about a month, apparently unwilling to tell police about the ''accident.''

Sources at Phuket Prison now tell Phuketwan that Mr Fanelli's behavior while at the jail for several weeks was categorised as normal. He responded to questions in a way that did not lead warders to have any doubts about his mental health.

However, it appears that those doubts must have been building in Mr Fanelli's own mind. He volunteered for a thorough psychiatric examination, which he has been undergoing since early September, in Surat Thani.

Jailers in Surat Thani are understood to have telephoned their counterparts at Phuket Prison, surprised that the 37-year-old former New Yorker is no longer able to hold a normal conversation and constantly produces unexpected responses.

Psychiatrists in Surat Thani are reported to be prepared to continue their assessment for as long as it takes to accurately determine whether Mr Fanelli was sane at the time of the killing, and whether he now remains sane enough to understand the likely penalties for a conviction on a charge of murder.