Aussie Admits Bangkok Murder

[george]

Aussie admits Bangkok murder

BANGKOK: -- An Australian man has pleaded guilty in a Thai criminal court to the assault and murder of his Canadian wife at their condominium in December last year.

Stewart Keith McLeod, 45, wearing brown prison attire and heavy ankle chains, accepted the charges by one of a panel of three judges gave a subdued "yes" and simple nod of his head.

McLeod was arrested on December 23 last year after the body of his 61-year-old wife, Barbara Lynn McLeod, was discovered in a laneway near their residential apartment in an upscale suburb of Bangkok.

The Australian, originally from the central mid-coast of New South Wales, had told police the couple, due to depart for Canada later that day for Christmas holidays, argued in the early hours when he assaulted and bludgeoned her to death.

McLeod initially lodged a missing persons report with the local police. But they became suspicious of his story and after interrogating him charged him with murder.

Public prosecutor at the hearing, Supol Yutidhada, said McLeod was also charged with false testimony to police and concealing a body.

The McLeods had known each other for 13 years and been married for the last nine.

Both had been working in Asia's booming information technology (IT) industry. They had met in Hong Kong before coming to Thailand almost four years ago.

Relatives and friends from Australia and Canada also attended the hearing in the white painted, air-conditioned room at Bangkok's south criminal court before a panel of three Thai judges.

There are no jury trials in Thailand.

In giving evidence McLeod's 32-year-old step daughter, Tasha Singleton, told the judges through a translator that she had been with the couple until December 21 when she flew to Canada.

Her mother and stepfather had been expected to travel to Canada for the Christmas holidays on December 23.

She flew back to Thailand in early January after being told of the tragedy and confronted McLeod over the incident at a remand prison.

"He said they were having an argument and that she wasn't understanding and he snapped and he pushed her and he hit her," Singleton told the court.

When asked by the defence lawyer whether McLeod had been a good carer of her mother over the years, Singleton answered: "Absolutely."

"Was he a generous person?," the lawyer asked. "Yes," she answered.

Singleton said McLeod was also never easy to show anger. The judge then asked her: "Do you still want to press both civil and criminal charges (against him)?."

"I think he should do some time (in jail)," she answered.

McLeod's defence lawyer, who asked not to be named, said he would argue the murder was a crime of passion and anger rather than intent to kill.

Under Thai law McLeod faces a minimum jail term of 15 years, that can be reduced due to his plea of guilty.

The judge could lower the final jail term by as much as half or in the minimum term down to seven and a half years.

The case is continuing with a final sentencing date expected in January.

-- tvnz.co.nz 2006-11-30

[Mighty Mouse]

He admitted the crime.

This just goes to prove how honest Aussies are.

[JacknDanny]

He admitted the crime.

This just goes to prove how honest Aussies are.

if only a little dim

[dr_Pat_Pong]

He admitted the crime.

This just goes to prove how honest Aussies are.

[george]

Aussie guilty of killing his Canadian wife

BANGKOK: -- A 45-year-old Australian man has pleaded guilty in a Thai criminal court to the assault and murder of his Canadian wife at their condominium last December.

Stewart Keith McLeod was arrested Dec. 23,2005, after the body of his 61-year-old wife, Barbara Lynn McLeod, was discovered in a laneway near their residential apartment in an upscale suburb of Bangkok. He had told police that the couple, due to depart for Canada later that day, had an argument in the early hours of the morning and he bludgeoned the woman to death.

McLeod's defence lawyer said he would argue that the murder was a crime of passion and anger.

Under Thai law, McLeod could face a minimum jail term of 15 years, reduced due to the guilty plea. A judge could lower the term by as much as half the sentence.

-- hamiltonspectator.com 2006-12-02