Yet Another Unsolved Farang Murder Case

[qualtrough]

Jimjim, thanks for not being as lazy as I am and taking the time to summarize some of the major problems with the Nationmaster data. As you mention, those firearms stats keep coming up repeatedly despite the fact that their accuracy is extremely suspect. We all know that Thailand is not crime free, but those stats do not shed any light on the issue.

[lazeeboy]

September 6, 2005

The killers of a 23-year-old Australian backpacker who also stabbed and raped his girlfriend in northern Thailand in 2000 might never be caught, Thailand's top forensic expert said on Tuesday.

Australians Kelvin Bourke and his girlfriend Sheri McFarlane, then 25, were attacked on February 3, 2000, while camping in the Doi Angkhang National Park in Chiang Mai's Fang district, 850 kilometres north of Bangkok.

Expert Porntip Rojanasunan said the criminal investigation went cold after two hill tribesmen were cleared on appeal last year after they were initially sentenced to death.

The scientist, who assisted in the men's appeal, fears there is now insufficient evidence to find the real attackers.

Porntip said poor crime scene investigative work by Thai police at the time probably meant valuable clues went uncovered and were now lost.

"This case remains unsolved," she said adding that it might stay this way.

She said Thai police bungled their investigation in their haste to score a conviction and prosecutors had also mishandled DNA evidence.

Reports at the time said Bourke had been shot in the chest while attempting to snatch the weapon from the two attackers. He died shortly after.

McFarlane tried to placate her assailants and handed over cameras, cash and other valuables worth more than $1000.

But despite her pleas they stabbed and raped her.

McFarlane was later rescued by a park ranger who discovered her wandering around about half a kilometre from the scene of the attack.

Thai police, under pressure from the Thai government, quickly rounded up 10 suspects.

Detectives paraded them before McFarlane at her bedside at a local hospital.

Reports said McFarlane had not positively identified anyone in the lineup.

But Thai police later charged Chinyong Sae Yang, 19, and Inthorn Sae Jong, 20. They alleged that Chinyong had confessed.

In June 2002, the Fang Provincial Court found the two men guilty and sentenced them to death.

Both men had pleaded innocent through the trial and appeal, and said they had been beaten by police before they confessed. They also claimed police had threatened their families.

pleaded innocent and beaten up . same old same old ..............