Thai murder: Trial to start within a fortnight

Monday 15 December 2014

The trial of the two men accused of murdering a Jerseyman in Thailand in September could start as soon as Boxing Day.

Two young Burmese men – Zaw Lin and another man named variously as Wai Phyo or Win Zaw Htun – have been charged with the murder of David Miller (24) from Jersey and the rape and murder of Hannah Witheridge (23) from the UK on the Thai diving resort island of Koh Tao earlier this year.

It has been reported that the defence has been told to file its case by 18 December ahead of a trial in the neighbouring island of Koh Samui starting on 26 December.

The two defendants – who are said to have confessed to the crimes, and then retracted their admissions - face the death penalty if convicted.

There has been speculation in the media that the defendants were tortured into confessing to the crimes.

At the weekend the families of David and Hannah issued statements thanking Metropolitan Police detectives for reviewing the case, and calling for the investigation to be allowed to take its course.

David's family said: "We would like to express our relief that progress is being made in Thailand and this case is finally coming to court.

"We would like to reiterate our gratitude to the UK Metropolitan Police, who received the co-operation of the Royal Thai Police in undertaking an independent review into the investigation."

They said that while "support for the Myanmar suspects has been strong and vocal" they urged the public not to "jump to conclusions" and said the "suspects have a difficult case to answer".

Their statement concluded: "The evidence against them appears to be powerful and convincing. They must respond to these charges, and their arguments must be considered with the same scrutiny as those of the prosecution.

"Please remember that this is above all a story of two wonderful young people, David and Hannah, killed in the prime of their lives in a senseless and brutal way."