Life Sentence for Spaniard in Koh Pha-ngan Murder Case

[webfact]

FILE - A Thai police officer escorts Spanish Daniel Sancho Bronchalo on suspicion of murdering and dismembering a Colombian surgeon from Koh Phagnan island to Koh Samui Island court, southern Thailand, Monday, Aug. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Somkeat Ruksaman, File )

 

A court in Thailand sentenced Daniel Sancho Bronchalo to life imprisonment on Thursday, concluding a high-profile case marked by grisly details and strong celebrity connections. Sancho, a 30-year-old chef and son of famed Spanish actor Rodolfo Sancho Aguirre and actress Silvia Bronchalo, was found guilty of the premeditated murder of Edwin Arrieta Arteaga, a 44-year-old Colombian plastic surgeon, while both were vacationing on the idyllic island of Koh Pha-ngan.

 

Initially handed the death penalty, Sancho’s sentence was commuted to life in recognition of his cooperation during the trial. Police Col. Paisan Sangthep, deputy commander of the Surat Thani Provincial Police, disclosed the court's decision to The Associated Press.

 

This ruling marks the end of a trial that has captivated audiences in Spain and across the globe, spurred by the crime’s sensational aspects and the involvement of a figure from a prominent acting family.

During his trial, which took place on the island of Samui, Sancho claimed that the incident arose from a confrontation with Arrieta, who allegedly attempted to sexually assault him. According to Sancho, Arrieta fell and fatally struck his head on a bathtub during the tussle.

 

Spanish actor Rodolfo Sancho, father of Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, talks to reporters arrives at Koh Samui provincial court in southern Thailand, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. A court in Thailand is expected to sentence the son of the actor accused of killing and dismembering a Colombian surgeon on a popular tourist island.(AP Photo/Thanapat Cherajin)

 

Despite his claim of accidental death, Sancho admitted to dismembering Arrieta's body and disposing of the remains on land and at sea. For this act of concealment, he received an additional sentence of four months, reduced to two for his admission. Another two-year sentence was imposed for destroying Arrieta's passport, emphasizing the extent of his efforts to hide the crime.

 

The disturbing case received substantial media attention in Spain, leading to the creation of an HBO Spanish-language documentary. The tragic intertwining of a violent death on a holiday island and the involvement of a celebrity’s family ensured the story remained in the public eye, creating a sobering end to what initially seemed like a dream vacation.

 

-- 2024-08-29

 

 

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[CharlieH]

I will never understand the thinking, 2 months for cutting the guy to pieces and 2 years for destroying the passport??

 

 

[Liverpool Lou]

4 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

I will never understand the thinking, 2 months for cutting the guy to pieces and 2 years for destroying the passport??

 

 

...inconsequential and token after receiving the (commuted) death sentence for killing him.

[scubascuba3]

56 minutes ago, webfact said:

Sancho admitted to dismembering Arrieta's body and disposing of the remains on land and at sea. For this act of concealment, he received an additional sentence of four months, reduced to two for his admission.

Only in Thailand, same fleeing an accident is ok

[Tropicalevo]

At least he will have lots of friends in gaol.

[maesariang]

2 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

...inconsequential and token after receiving the (commuted) death sentence for killing him.

Life sentence is how long normally?

[FritsSikkink]

8 minutes ago, maesariang said:

Life sentence is how long normally?

That depends how old somebody is, for a 90-year-old less than for a 30-year-old.

[steven100]

Sancho Daddy ....   you better get the cheque book out    !!      the kid wants to come home     !!

[steven100]

Just now, FritsSikkink said:

That depends how old somebody is.

 

is it 25 years normally ... ? 

[bdenner]

11 minutes ago, maesariang said:

Life sentence is how long normally?

About 5 years, 3 months and 26 days here. BUT that can be a life time for a Farang in the Bangkok Hilton or same.

[Liverpool Lou]

16 minutes ago, maesariang said:

Life sentence is how long normally?

Life.  There is no provision for parole.

[maesariang]

1 minute ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Life.  There is no provision for parole.

Kings pardons every year.

[steven100]

I say he'll be out in 3 months ..... probably cost daddy a couple of mil.   TIT, show me the color of your money .... 

[Liverpool Lou]

4 minutes ago, maesariang said:

5 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Life.  There is no provision for parole.

Kings pardons every year.

Not for everyone!

[marin]

14 minutes ago, maesariang said:

Kings pardons every year.

Yeah the king is going to pardon a farang murderer.

 

12 minutes ago, steven100 said:

I say he'll be out in 3 months ..... probably cost daddy a couple of mil.   TIT, show me the color of your money .... 

You pay before the sentence is given. He is toast...

[connda]

Life sentence? Well that's better than 15 rounds from a Hekler-Koch sub-machine gun in the back.
Maybe.  Maybe not.

[connda]

3 hours ago, CharlieH said:

I will never understand the thinking, 2 months for cutting the guy to pieces and 2 years for destroying the passport??

 

TIT. 

[maesariang]

20 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Not for everyone!

Lucky no 13, out in 13. Maybe perhaps oh well

[crazykopite]

As far as I am aware very few people who have committed a serious crime such as murder serve the rest of their lives in prison if he’s lucky it will be no longer than 10 years he might even end up being transferred to a prison in his homeland . I also know of an individual who spent 5 + years in the Samui prison so he might well spend his sentence there ,wherever it is life in a Thai prison will be intolerable !

[hotchilli]

13 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

At least he will have lots of friends in gaol.

I wonder how often daddy will come visit him

[stoner]

6 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

13 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

At least he will have lots of friends in gaol.

I wonder how often daddy will come visit him

 

probably every night at lights out. 

[cookie1974]

One less scumbag on the streets,hope he enjoys the local thai hospitality that the prison is bound to provide🤣

[ChipButty]

Im not sure it applies to a murder case but they usually get shipped back home after a few years, one English guy I know of did 8 years here then shipped back to the UK, 

[Bundooman]

So the Spanish guy objected to a sexual assault by the victim and he fell, hitting his head on the bathtub.

They were in the bathroom together? Or in the bath together?

Conundrum!

Still, no point getting lathered up about it - back to my coffee.

[globalspark]

Daddy looks a little scruffy but money talks in Thailand. A couple of million for Buddha and a few Million for chiefs Christmas party will help a lot. Million  I mean Euros .

[steven100]

24 minutes ago, Bundooman said:

Still, no point getting lathered up about it - back to my coffee.

the question is ... were they lathered up at the time. 

[Scouse123]

14 hours ago, steven100 said:

 

is it 25 years normally ... ? 

 

I believe it is, I think 25 years is the maximum you can spend in jail in Thailand,

 

After eight years, he can apply to finish his sentence, and be transferred to a Spanish jail, and whatever repatriation agreement it has with Thailand.

 

In Thailand, he will also receive time off for good behaviour, plus substantial reductions on auspicious occasions, such as the King's birthday etc.

[Scouse123]

57 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

I wonder how often daddy will come visit him

 

I wish you guys who don't know what you are talking about regards Thai prisons would stop the innuendo about male rape, it doesn't happen, there are too many in there happy to sell themselves.

 

52 minutes ago, stoner said:

 

probably every night at lights out. 

 

Another silly answer, there are no lights out, the lights are on 24/7.

[steven100]

1 minute ago, Scouse123 said:

 

I believe it is, I think 25 years is the maximum you can spend in jail in Thailand,

 

After eight years, he can apply to finish his sentence, and be transferred to a Spanish jail, and whatever repatriation agreement it has with Thailand.

 

In Thailand, he will also receive time off for good behaviour, plus substantial reductions on auspicious occasions, such as the King's birthday etc.

You forgot to include monetary donations can be applied for reduced sentence. 

[thesetat2013]

16 hours ago, webfact said:

A court in Thailand sentenced Daniel Sancho Bronchalo to life imprisonment on Thursday

 

16 hours ago, webfact said:

Initially handed the death penalty, Sancho’s sentence was commuted to life in recognition of his cooperation

A life sentence in a Thai prison is worse than the death sentence. This guy will die in prison with the conditions there unless he gets a lot of support from outside and a lot of bribe money to the guards and boss of the prison.