Koh Tao murder trial reconvenes in Koh Samui

[webfact]

Koh Tao murder trial reconvenes in Koh Samui

KOH SAMUI: -- After two lots of three day sessions in July today the 3rd session of court hearings in the Koh Tao murder trial commenced at the Samui Court where Burmese migrant workers Zaw Lin and Wei Phyo stand accused of murdering Brits Hannah Witheridge and David Miller in Koh Tao last September.

Although on the island to support her son, the mother of Wei Phyo was not at the court today due to health reasons. The forlorn mother of Zaw Lin arrived alone at the court house to support her son supported by two friends, one of whom led her up the steps to the court when Human Rights Activist declined to help or even acknowledge her, an incident caught on a local TV camera.

Andy Hall, part of the MWRN has been raising funds to support the accused in jail and the defense team and rallies for online donations. Meanwhile the accused and the mothers of the accused have been supported by a small local group who provide financial support for them as well as transport for prison visits.

Today, day seven in the trial, the first witness was the police officer who took DNA samples from Zaw Lin on October the 2nd. Irregularities in the documentation were raised and on the defense team’s request the Justice Ministry Central Institute of Forensic Science took sawbs from both of the defendants to check their DNA profiles in front of multiple witnesses.

-- Samui Times 2015-08-18

Koh Tao murder news timeline

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844489-koh-tao-murder-news-timeline/

[Just1Voice]

And the police circus starts up again.

[khunPer]

For information, the ‘Justice: Koh Tao Murder Case’ team's latest post (August 16th):

1 new Announcement:

Time for a brief update as to where we are in the Koh Tao murder case trial for all our important financial supporters on Indiegogo (n.b. all of the detailed and chronological real time updates on the case continue to be available on MWRN 'MW RN' and Andy Hall's 'Andy Hall' Facebook pages and Andy Hall's Twitter @atomicalandy) With two sessions (6 days) of prosecution witnesses already completed in July, this week will now see the 3rd session (18th to 21st Aug) and then following that the 4th session (27th to 28th Aug) of prosecution witnesses at Koh Samui Court (total prosecution witnesses is scheduled as 12 days). It is not known yet whether the prosecution will request additional time to present their case or not after 28th Aug. Prosecution witnesses are expected to continue to consist of police officers working on crime scene, forensics and other related issues concerning the murder investigation. The defence witnesses are scheduled to begin testimony on 1st September (7 days including 1-2 Sept, 11 Sept and 22-25 Sept). The MWRN Justice: Koh Tao Murder Case fundraiser is now using our funds to support a full time Thai staff member for the defence team (who also manages finance and administration for this fundraiser). The fundraiser is also supporting a number of defence lawyers and accused's two case translators with travel, accomodation and food costs during work on the case. The fundraiser continues to support a daily prison allowance for both Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo (the accused) who are detained in Koh Samui prison, and also supports travel costs and an allowance for an assigned visitor three times a week at the prison. The fundraiser has recently also provided financial support for the medical treatment of Wai Phyo's mother (who arrived from Myanmar a few weeks ago with Zaw Lin's mother with support from CSI-MM and Kyaw Aye Mg). A number of other important case related costs continue to be supported by the fundraiser also. Please do continue to support our fundraiser on the Indiegogo website (https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/justice-koh-tao-murder-case#/story.) or make a donation into the fundraiser bank account: Account Name: Mr. Andrew Hall and Mr. Nakhon Chompuchat Account Number: 405-870484-8 Bank: Siam Commercial Bank Public CompanyLtd Bank Branch: 5280 Terminal 21 Bank SWIFT code: SICOTHBK Thailand

Edited August 18, 2015 by khunPer

[robertthebruce]

Good on you ''Andy Hall'' for trying to raise funds for the Accused...

kind of you...

[Jai Dee]

One troll post and subsequent reply have been removed from this thread.

[catsanddogs]

Good news that a local radio station reporter from Norfolk is at the trial -

"Then today, when the senior police officer in charge of the DNA gathering was about the leave the dock, they (the defence team) turned round and said 'we want the DNA re-taken by the Thai Ministry of Justice, they're here, they're going to do it right now, and we want you to witness it', to which the judge said was fine."

She added: "The move followed a morning of admissions by the police officers who originally took the DNA from the suspects, including unsigned forms, no photographic evidence and a key officer who said he was bomb disposal and had only taken DNA in training.

full article here -

http://www.heart.co.uk/essex/news/local/dna-re-taken-during-hannah-witheridge-murder-trial/#xWmXtv22L1q5fWdE.97

[Jimlove]

This case can be the beginning of the end for Thailands Tourism if B2 scapegoats are found guilty - The Image left of Thailand (if any ... ) will not survive a thrashing of human rights of that level ... at least I really dont hope so ....

[Colabamumbai]

Well we know that they were not in Bangkok Monday night.

[uksomchai]

This case can be the beginning of the end for Thailands Tourism if B2 scapegoats are found guilty - The Image left of Thailand (if any ... ) will not survive a thrashing of human rights of that level ... at least I really dont hope so ....

sadly nothing of the sort will happen and this crime, as shocking as it was will be forgotten within weeks of the trial ending if not sooner. There will be no justice for the families but the tourists will still come in their droves just as they still go to Koh tao after this murder

[StealthEnergiser]

[StealthEnergiser]

[StealthEnergiser]

[stephenterry]

This case can be the beginning of the end for Thailands Tourism if B2 scapegoats are found guilty - The Image left of Thailand (if any ... ) will not survive a thrashing of human rights of that level ... at least I really dont hope so ....

sadly nothing of the sort will happen and this crime, as shocking as it was will be forgotten within weeks of the trial ending if not sooner. There will be no justice for the families but the tourists will still come in their droves just as they still go to Koh tao after this murder

It could depend on the verdict. And then to the court of appeals.

[partington]

Good news that a local radio station reporter from Norfolk is at the trial -

"Then today, when the senior police officer in charge of the DNA gathering was about the leave the dock, they (the defence team) turned round and said 'we want the DNA re-taken by the Thai Ministry of Justice, they're here, they're going to do it right now, and we want you to witness it', to which the judge said was fine."

She added: "The move followed a morning of admissions by the police officers who originally took the DNA from the suspects, including unsigned forms, no photographic evidence and a key officer who said he was bomb disposal and had only taken DNA in training.

full article here -

http://www.heart.co.uk/essex/news/local/dna-re-taken-during-hannah-witheridge-murder-trial/#xWmXtv22L1q5fWdE.97

Thanks for simply posting links to news: I appreciate reading what is happening in the case, not the sort of atrocious juvenile detective work and bickering that was posted in the last lengthy thread.

With reference to the reported re-taking of the suspects' DNA samples, although the defence are right to insist on as much independent corroboration as possible, it is unlikely that any errors made by an officer who has only taken DNA a few times in training could result in the samples being so compromised that they would result in misidentification.

DNA is taken by rubbing a cotton bud on the inside of the subject's cheek, then placing it in a tube, and that's it. Companies that sell online DNA tests rely on members of the general public doing this themselves, with no experience at all, other than the simple instructions given in the kits they are sent, and it is hard to do this incorrectly.

What is more likely to be questionable is: how clear and unambiguous were the DNA fingerprints apparently isolated from the victim that the suspects' DNA fingerprints were compared to. It is this sample that is likely to be deficient, unclear or not of high enough quality to prove an unambiguous match with the suspects' DNAs (which are permanently available in unlimited quantities.)

Edited August 18, 2015 by partington

[stephenterry]

Good news that a local radio station reporter from Norfolk is at the trial -

"Then today, when the senior police officer in charge of the DNA gathering was about the leave the dock, they (the defence team) turned round and said 'we want the DNA re-taken by the Thai Ministry of Justice, they're here, they're going to do it right now, and we want you to witness it', to which the judge said was fine."

She added: "The move followed a morning of admissions by the police officers who originally took the DNA from the suspects, including unsigned forms, no photographic evidence and a key officer who said he was bomb disposal and had only taken DNA in training.

full article here -

http://www.heart.co.uk/essex/news/local/dna-re-taken-during-hannah-witheridge-murder-trial/#xWmXtv22L1q5fWdE.97

Brave move by the defence. Clear message to the court and MOJ that the b2 are innocent of any crime.

[Baerboxer]

This case can be the beginning of the end for Thailands Tourism if B2 scapegoats are found guilty - The Image left of Thailand (if any ... ) will not survive a thrashing of human rights of that level ... at least I really dont hope so ....

sadly nothing of the sort will happen and this crime, as shocking as it was will be forgotten within weeks of the trial ending if not sooner. There will be no justice for the families but the tourists will still come in their droves just as they still go to Koh tao after this murder

Probably so. Another one to be added to the list - Blue Diamond theft and associated murders, Kirsty Jones, some very odd suicides, hacked to death by taxi driver, stabbed by boys sitting on your motor bike, etc etc etc.

Tourists easily forget, it "will never happen to us", and the media move onto the next news.

Even worse, the BiB will do the same over and over again.

[stephenterry]

Pity Nomsod wasn't available to take the same DNA test.

[JLCrab]

Pity Nomsod wasn't available to take the same DNA test.

Must've missed his flight.

[boomerangutang]

What is more likely to be questionable is: how clear and unambiguous were the DNA fingerprints apparently isolated from the victim that the suspects' DNA fingerprints were compared to. It is this sample that is likely to be deficient, unclear or not of high enough quality to prove an unambiguous match with the suspects' DNAs (which are permanently available in unlimited quantities.)

My concern also. The DNA typings from the victim is crucial, because that's what suspects' (current and former) typing were supposedly compared with. Thus far, all indications are: the DNA found in/on Hannah was questionably dealt with (to put it nicely). In the case of Nomsod's DNA comparison, backed by the press event in October, the lead RTP investigator claimed in court (prior session) that he didn't know where Nomsod's sample was, and he didn't know if it was compared to DNA found in/on victim. In other words, the RTP's lead investigator is indicating that the staged DNA comparison for Nomsod may have been a complete ruse.

[Darkknight666]

Yes... Irregularities in the paper work so they took DNA again! What's the deal with the mother not getting help from human rights? I didn't get that part. Hopefully there's more coverage even with the tragedy in Bangkok unfolding.

Let's get to the bottom of this and get the killers ruined.

[Darkknight666]

What is more likely to be questionable is: how clear and unambiguous were the DNA fingerprints apparently isolated from the victim that the suspects' DNA fingerprints were compared to. It is this sample that is likely to be deficient, unclear or not of high enough quality to prove an unambiguous match with the suspects' DNAs (which are permanently available in unlimited quantities.)

My concern also. The DNA typings from the victim is crucial, because that's what suspects' (current and former) typing were supposedly compared with. Thus far, all indications are: the DNA found in/on Hannah was questionably dealt with (to put it nicely). In the case of Nomsod's DNA comparison, backed by the press event in October, the lead RTP investigator claimed in court (prior session) that he didn't know where Nomsod's sample was, and he didn't know if it was compared to DNA found in/on victim. In other words, the RTP's lead investigator is indicating that the staged DNA comparison for Nomsod may have been a complete ruse.

I agree Boomer. The original officers on the case figured they wouldn't ever be questioned on their evidence, after all who would call them out on it their superiors? The irregularities are the exact kind of thing we need to see... Now that they've entered this into evidence, if it's found to be falsified the case crumbles! Well, in the real world.

For the sake of the Nation, with everything going on in the Kingdom... Getting the case right is crucial. Good work to the defense and others helping behind the scenes , you're all angels.

[catsanddogs]

Yes... Irregularities in the paper work so they took DNA again! What's the deal with the mother not getting help from human rights? I didn't get that part. Hopefully there's more coverage even with the tragedy in Bangkok unfolding.

Let's get to the bottom of this and get the killers ruined.

Yes, I found that very odd reading about the mother not getting help from Human Rights. What's that all about?

[StealthEnergiser]

[StealthEnergiser]

[StealthEnergiser]

Trial of two men accused of murdering Hemsby student Hannah Witheridge in Thailand resumes

The two Burmese suspects accused of the murders of 23 year-old Hemsby student Hannah Witheridge, and fellow British backpacker David Miller, 24, from Jersey, have had their DNA retaken in a Thai court, as the trial resumes on the island of Koh Samui and the defence team continues to doubt the veracity of the DNA evidence.

The trial, which has been spread over three months, and is due to reach a verdict in October, has focussed to date on police claims that DNA from Zaw Lin and Wei Phyo, both aged 22, was found on Ms Witheridge’s body and on various items at the murder scene, even though they both insist they were not involved.

The court testimony appears to suggest that the DNA evidence has only ever been handled by the Thai forensics police, and never tested by the government forensics department or any other independent body.

cont:

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/trial_of_two_men_accused_of_murdering_hemsby_student_hannah_witheridge_in_thailand_resumes_1_4198226?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=dlvr.it

[Linky]

May I say a BIG thank you to stealthenergiser for posting the updates.

Much appreciated. ???

[Jimlove]

May I say a BIG thank you to stealthenergiser for posting the updates.

Much appreciated. ???

+1 ... unfortunately - but understandable - the focus has been taken away from this crucial case that is so important on so many levels ... Keep up the good work Stealthenergiser ...

[fish fingers]

Did the forensics lady come to court yet?

[White Christmas13]

Now I know how StealthEnergiser gets his posts counts up

he never posts anything

[Darkknight666]

Now I know how StealthEnergiser gets his posts counts up

he never posts anything

Stealth has been instrumental in keeping facts straight in the case and keeping info relevant that is important. Male or female, they're not here for the post count.. Pay attention.