Phuket: Swedish national Tommy Soderlund gets life for stabbing murder

[webfact]

Breaking News: Swede gets life for stabbing murder
Phuket Gazette


Tommy Soderlund has 30 days to appeal his life sentence, which was handed down for the murder of fellow Swede Maxim Schantz. Photo: Dean Noble

PHUKET: -- Swedish national Tommy Soderlund was today sentenced to life imprisonment for the stabbing murder of Maxim Schantz in Phuket two years ago.

He was also ordered to pay compensation to the victim’s family. However, the court has yet to verify the amount.

Tommy Viktor Soderlund, 28, stood accused of the murder along with Johan Sebastian Ljung, also 28. Mr Ljung recieved a life sentence for the murder and a 12.5 million baht fine on Januray 24 (story here)

Both men confessed to their role in the killing. However, they denied any intent to murder Mr Schantz (story here).

The handing down of the sentence today followed a media blackout on reporting witness testimonies delivered during the trial as the court deemed it could unfairly support the defendants (story here).

Mr Soderlund has 30 days to appeal the sentence.

The mother of Maxim Schantz, Yvonne Schantz, had hoped to obtain an apology from Mr Soderlund.

"I want to hear him apologize to me and my son. Johan apologized to me once when I visited the pair of them in jail – but Tommy never did,” Ms Schantz told the Phuket Gazette after the sentencing of Mr Ljung.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2014/Breaking-News-Swede-gets-life-for-stabbing-murder-26724.html


-- Phuket Gazette 2014-03-03

[lee b]

Good, let him rot in prison. No ammount of money can return a life to the family of the victim. RIP to the poor guy and my heart goe's out to his family. Yes i know it was 2 years back as well.

[LivinginKata]

I wonder if life really means life in the Thai judicial system ? Seems a fitting sentence. But we very seldom hear about the sentence when a Thai commits murder, we only hear about the high profile foreigners.

[laurentbkk]

Well done , at least he deserved it , and what about those who kill policeman with a ferrari ?

[andreandre]

2 foreigner killers this year getting what they deserve ..life sentence [whatever that really entails] i hope it goes the same way for dokset..

[webfact]

Phuket court sentences second Schantz killer to life
Wiparatana Nathalang


Tommy Soderlund (right) at the time of his arrest. His co-defendant Sebastian Ljung is in the background.

PHUKET: -- Tommy Viktor Söderlund from Sweden was sentenced to life in prison this morning (March 3) for his part in the August 1, 2011, killing of Russian-born Swede Maxim Schantz.

Mr Schantz died after his throat was cut by Söderlund’s compatriot Johan Sebastian Ljung in The Lantern apartment complex in Koh Kaew, following a dispute about a Pattaya boiler room scam all three were involved in.

On January 24 this year Ljung was sentenced to life in prison for murder.

Both had pleaded not guilty, telling the court that Mr Schantz had struggled as Ljung held a knife to his throat, and that the killing was accidental.

Their defence lawyer, Phychaya Titapattawong, told The Phuket News after this morning’s hearing that the court had decided on the guilty verdicts after police introduced evidence that the duo came equipped with a knife, a handgun, a strip of rubber for restraining their victim, and a woolen ski mask.

When arrested, they had also confessed initially to murder, which Mr Phychaya said was a mistake on their part.

He said that he had already filed an appeal on behalf of Ljung and would do the same for Söderlund as soon as possible.

Ljung has already been transferred to Nakhon Sri Thammarat Central Prison and Söderlund will follow him. The appeal hearings will be held there.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-court-sentences-second-schantz-killer-to-life-44917.php


-- Phuket News 2014-03-03

[peterdarby]

I believe life means life in Thailand. After a certain time in a Thai hellhole, they will be allowed to transfer to a prison in their own country, which will be like a 5-star hotel in comparison, to serve out the remainder of their sentence. No doubt the Swedish authorities will apply their own version of life imprisonment.

[Kerryd]

Hard to tell from reading this: http://www.samuiforsale.com/law-texts/thailand-penal-code.html#287. Looks life a life sentence can be any number of years depending on the circumstances.

(Section 288) If you murder someone (unintentionally I guess it is supposed to mean), the sentence could be 15-20 years.

(Section 289 ) If it was premeditated, the sentence is death (usually commuted to life for foreigners though).

(Section 290) If you injure a person without intending for him to die (i.e. you smack him with a baseball bat) and he does die, then the sentence could be from 3-15 years.

From the sounds of it, all three were part of an internet scam operation running out of Pattaya. The dead guy left to start up on his own and ratted out his former partners to the cops. The former partners track him down, stake out his house then go there with a gun, knife and a "plastic band" to tie the victim's wrists with. (Sounds pretty premeditated to me.)

"Both men confessed to their role in the killing. However, they denied any intent to murder Mr Schantz. "

I'm guessing that they confessed to killing him "unintentionally". Because they confessed, they could be looking at a life sentence reduced by half, so maybe 7 1/2 - 10 years ? If Sweden and Thailand have a prisoner exchange treaty, then they'd probably only have to do half of that sentence before being eligible for transfer, so that'd be maybe between 3-5 years. Once back in Sweden who knows ?

The murder was committed almost 3 years ago (Aug 2011) and I'm guessing they've been locked up since then so with time served they could almost be eligible for transfer in a few months.

Of course, their lawyer is filing an appeal. Who knows, they could be granted bail and released from prison while the appeal is pending (like has happened many times in the past). Once out of prison...........

[Showbags]

What if they do not pay the fine....after all, life in prison, not much incentive to fork over millions right ?

[MoversandShakers]

Just look into the eyes of Mr. Tommy Soderlund...

He gets what he deserves. If not this would have been repeated again without remorse.

I hope Tommy and his pal Ljung will both rot in jail. Slowly and painful.

"When arrested, they had also confessed initially to murder, which Mr Phychaya [the lawyer] said was a "mistake" on their part."...
Ohh..well...
R.I.P. to their victim Maxim Schantz

[Deez]

12.5 million baht fine?? If they had they they would be walking free from the start

[gerry123]

ouch bet that's going to hurt

[robertthebruce]

I am sure they will go down a ''Treat'' with the ''Thai Inmates''... , after all Sweden is famous for its ''Meat Balls''..

[Dogmatix]

"When arrested, they had also confessed initially to murder, which Mr Phychaya said was a mistake on their part."

They've made quite a few mistakes but now they will start paying for them. With life sentences they are likely to have to serve at least 16 years before they could be repatriated to Sweden under treaty.

[bigbamboo]

What if they do not pay the fine....after all, life in prison, not much incentive to fork over millions right ?

I believe if you cannot pay the fine time is added to the sentence at a daily rate. I don't know how they came up with that amount as 2.5 million is practically unheard of here. The cynic in me supposes that he will be repatriated early on condition someone comes up with the cash.

[mushroomdave]

As usual, after so many years, yes, they will be allowed to return to their home country to serve out their sentences. But I say don't return them until Mrs. Schantz obtains that apology from Soderlund and both of the imposed fines are paid in full.

I know people will write saying they cannot pay from prison but if their families want them home in their prison system and are able to visit a lot more often, I am sure they can come up with the $$.

Enjoy your new accommodations.......SCUM!!

Edited March 3, 2014 by mushroomdave

[andreandre]

Hard to tell from reading this: http://www.samuiforsale.com/law-texts/thailand-penal-code.html#287. Looks life a life sentence can be any number of years depending on the circumstances.

(Section 288) If you murder someone (unintentionally I guess it is supposed to mean), the sentence could be 15-20 years.

(Section 289 ) If it was premeditated, the sentence is death (usually commuted to life for foreigners though).

(Section 290) If you injure a person without intending for him to die (i.e. you smack him with a baseball bat) and he does die, then the sentence could be from 3-15 years.

From the sounds of it, all three were part of an internet scam operation running out of Pattaya. The dead guy left to start up on his own and ratted out his former partners to the cops. The former partners track him down, stake out his house then go there with a gun, knife and a "plastic band" to tie the victim's wrists with. (Sounds pretty premeditated to me.)

"Both men confessed to their role in the killing. However, they denied any intent to murder Mr Schantz. "

I'm guessing that they confessed to killing him "unintentionally". Because they confessed, they could be looking at a life sentence reduced by half, so maybe 7 1/2 - 10 years ? If Sweden and Thailand have a prisoner exchange treaty, then they'd probably only have to do half of that sentence before being eligible for transfer, so that'd be maybe between 3-5 years. Once back in Sweden who knows ?

The murder was committed almost 3 years ago (Aug 2011) and I'm guessing they've been locked up since then so with time served they could almost be eligible for transfer in a few months.

Of course, their lawyer is filing an appeal. Who knows, they could be granted bail and released from prison while the appeal is pending (like has happened many times in the past). Once out of prison...........

I'm guessing that they confessed to killing him "unintentionally". Because they confessed, they could be looking at a life sentence reduced by half, so maybe 7 1/2 - 10 years ?

According to PW,the site that generally is right he was first sentenced to death for murder before a Phuket judge commuted the term to life imprisonment, so i guess, your guessing is not correct

[magnbol]

Once they're back in Sweden they can enjoy the famous swedish jail hospitality. As someone said, it will feel as a 5 Star resort, with private room, cable Tv, private inroom toilet, great food 4 times a day, a paid(!!!) daily job (weekends off of course), free gym and lot's of socialising out- and in-doors.

Oh, by the way, in Sweden you only serve 2 thirds of your sentence. Anyone who wants to make a bankjob and secures the cash before getting caught, will have nice 4 to 8 years stay at the resort before getting out to the milk and honey. Perhaps holiday in Thailand?

Sent from the Appie Tappie

Edited March 3, 2014 by magnbol

[LivinginKata]

a number of off topic/off story topics removed.

[MRGTINGTONG]

Their eyeballs will be bulging much more once inside with thai inmates.

[larsjohnsson]

All 3 involved where criminals from Sweden. The man who was murdered cheated the other two. They deserve their sentence. All 3 men where scumbags

Sent from my GT-I9152 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Halion]

A life sentence.... and a 12.5 million Baht fine. What will they do if he cannot pay increase his sentence.!! This is stated to be a fine, not costs, and just where will this money go?

If this was not a case regarding foreigners and therefore in the eyes of the international press I doubt if the sentence would have been so severe not that I am objecting to the sentence,just the hypocrisy and abject greed that permeates all levels of this society. I could recite twenty or more incidents over the past two years where innocent lives have been lost through criminal negligence of one kind or another and the results have been spectacularly different, some have even never been brought to court. eg Red Bull Ferrari

[NamKangMan]

All 3 involved where criminals from Sweden. The man who was murdered cheated the other two. They deserve their sentence. All 3 men where scumbags

Sent from my GT-I9152 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

That's a big statement to make.

What were they into on Phuket? Drug dealng?

[hanno]

All 3 involved where criminals from Sweden. The man who was murdered cheated the other two. They deserve their sentence. All 3 men where scumbags

Sent from my GT-I9152 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

That's a big statement to make.

What were they into on Phuket? Drug dealng?

Boiler room scam, according to the original story.

[BanTamo]

Thought the original story had the boiler room scam in Pattaya and that HKT was more of a failed refuge?

[magnbol]

Once they're back in Sweden they can enjoy the famous swedish jail hospitality. As someone said, it will feel as a 5 Star resort, with private room, cable Tv, private inroom toilet, great food 4 times a day, a paid(!!!) daily job (weekends off of course), free gym and lot's of socialising out- and in-doors.

Oh, by the way, in Sweden you only serve 2 thirds of your sentence. Anyone who wants to make a bankjob and secures the cash before getting caught, will have nice 4 to 8 years stay at the resort before getting out to the milk and honey. Perhaps holiday in Thailand?

Sent from the Appie Tappie

Forgot to mention the free laptop and Internet they will have too.

Sent from the Appie Tappie

[maximillian]

All 3 involved where criminals from Sweden. The man who was murdered cheated the other two. They deserve their sentence. All 3 men where scumbags

Agreed !

[gemguy]

What is it about Thailand that has all too many foriegners run amuck like this.

Too bad one man had to pay with his life.

At the end of the day:

3 criminals now out of commission.

One of them never able to cheat anyone ever again while 2 of them not able to cheat and scam the public for a long, long time to come.

[evercurious]

@LivinginKata, I kknow of a case where a Thai woman was sentenced to (and served) 25 years for attempted murder and aggravated robbery.

The owner of the house was from US but victim was his Thai wife. Luckily it was easy to trace her and they wasted no time in serving sentence.

That was 25 years ago, though, so I don't know what the situation is now for Thai murders. I think there is still strictness, if they are caught of course,

and there may be bribes to reduce sentences. I heard of someone being released and criminal record erased for a rape sentence, just because of

payment by a relative.

[davejones23]

I wonder if life really means life in the Thai judicial system ? Seems a fitting sentence. But we very seldom hear about the sentence when a Thai commits murder, we only hear about the high profile foreigners.

You need to read the Thai press if you want to know about Thai murderers. If you only read English sites, you won't get much info about Thai crimes.