David Miller's family identify his phone in murder trial - verdict by Christmas

Monday 12 October 2015

The parents of Jerseyman David Miller who was murdered on a Thai beach last September have identified their son’s phone – a key piece of evidence found near the lodgings of one of the men accused of murdering him.

Burmese murder suspect Wei Phyo has admitted finding the phone on the beach on the night of the murder but says his friend threw it into undergrowth the next day after they heard about the murders.

Wei Phyo and Zaw Lin are on trial in the Thai island of Koh Samui for the murders of 24 year-old David and 23 year-old Hannah Witheridge, who were found murdered on a beach on the diving resort island of Koh Tao on 15 September 2014.

David’s parents were in court in Thailand over the weekend to hear the defendants’ testimony. If convicted, the two young Burmese men, both 22, could both face the death penalty.

But there have been questions asked about the investigation – both initially confessed to the murders but then retracted the confessions, saying that they had been beaten and tortured by the police.

The prosecution claims DNA evidence puts both men at the scene but the defence claims it's unsafe.

David was in Thailand on holiday after completing his degree in Civil and Structural Engineering at Leeds University – he was en route to a six-week work placement with a mining company in Australia, and was due to return to his studies for a Masters course.

David’s parents should hear the verdict on Christmas Eve.