Scared is right. Since then, he had managed to send back almost $2,000 to help his destitute family. The bodies of Mr Miller and Miss Witheridge were found on a beach on the Thai island of Koh Tao in 2014. Their sentences have been reviewed to commemorate King Vajiralongkorn's birthday and to show his "clemency". The head of the country's Central Institute of Forensic Science found that the DNA on the hoe did not match the defendants. Both were. Many raised concerns that contamination cast doubt upon the forensic evidence: officials, journalists and tourists were seen walking around the crime scene, and Thai police did not use trained or independent specialists to collect forensic evidence. [25] There were no known eyewitnesses to the murders. [7] Witheridge had completed undergraduate studies in education at the University of East Anglia and had started post-graduate studies in speech and language therapy at the University of Essex. But in Thailand, the police perform the entire process. Burmese migrants Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo were convicted of the . And the shambolic investigation also didnt help.. White sand beaches, untouched jungles, cloudless skies. Hannah Witheridge and David Miller's bodies were found on a beach in Koh Tao in September 2014 Two Burmese migrants convicted over the killings had their death sentences reduced to life. Over the coming weeks we hope to gain a better understanding as to how such a wonderful young man lost his life in such idyllic surroundings in such a horrible way, said Millers family in a statement at the opening of the trial. The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. However, the death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment following a royal decree commemorating King Vajiralongkorns birthday. [39] Following an interrogation, during which police say Zaw Lin admitted he had entered the country illegally, Zaw Lin was arrested and his clothes and motorcycle were seized as evidence. A post-mortem examination showed she had been raped. She was a real natural with them.. [77], An opinion piece in Bangkok Post wrote that "practically no one believes [Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo] really brutally murdered English tourists", adding "in Thai media of all kinds, the consensus is that Win and Zaw Lin are scapegoats. Two Burmese workers were sentenced to death in 2015, after being found guilty of killing David Miller, 24, of Jersey, and Hannah Witheridge, 23, of Norfolk. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Photograph: PA The island, two hours by boat from the nearest airport, has a low-key, undeveloped feel. Credit: British Foreign Office That's when the killers pounced. [31] They focused on foreign nationals, with a spokesperson for the police claiming "Thais wouldn't do this". His former headteacher described him as a bright young man and a talented artist, with real potential to forge a worthwhile and fruitful path in his life. They were identified as 24-year-old David Miller and 23-year-old Hannah Witheridge, [] View Photo Gallery (PIX11/CNN) A British man and woman were found dead on a popular resort island in . islands volcanic inception. The government of Thailand was concerned the murders might affect tourism to the island, with arrivals dropping in the months following the murders. Koh Tao is by far the smallest. His dad, Ian Miller, said, Its quite likely David was stepping in to assist a girl in trouble. During the trial, the prosecution also claimed Davids stolen phone was discovered smashed at the home of a friend of Zaw Lins. The exact area where there bodies were found was the village of Hat Sat Ri. The family said it had brought to a close a "lengthy and disturbing period" where activists on social media had attempted to influence justice in Thailand and public opinion elsewhere. They beat me and put a bag over my head, humiliating me by taking pictures and a video, he said. He announced that he had "ordered all security-related agencies to track down those who are behind the Myanmar demonstrations". Dehumanizing as it sounds, they are a commodity for some people., Asked whether he has a message for his compatriots considering working in Thailand, Wai Phyo simply says, Be careful when you go out at night as you might step in the wrong place., WE HAVE LEARNED TO TAKE CARE OF VISITORS. The area plays host to a weekly beach party on Sunday nights. The two men were convicted and sentenced in 2015 and the verdict was upheld by an appeals court in 2017 and the Supreme Court in August 2019. Sean McAnna (25), from Shotts near Glasgow, was a friend of David Miller, the tourist whose body was found last week on Koh Tao island along with that of Hannah Witheridge. Miss Witheridge's family paid tribute to their . Both entered through the Ranong Province, allegedly without presenting themselves at a port of entry and without possessing a passport. By the time dawn broke over Koh Tao, the beach had been . Miller had scratches on his back and water in his lungs indicating drowning. A verdict is expected in October and they could face the death penalty if convicted. Koh Tao murders, which created an international frenzy when two young British tourists, Hannah Witheridge, and David Miller, were found murdered in September 2014. VideoThe secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure, LGBT troops take love for Eurovision to front line. [6] Miller had just completed his undergraduate degree in civil and structural engineering at the University of Leeds and was starting a master's degree. Irregular Burmese migrant workers were now required to register with the police in an attempt to discourage illegal workers and prevent bribery. Two Burmese migrants were convicted over the killings of Hannah Witheridge and 24-year-old David Miller, from Jersey, in 2015. Officials deny claims of torture and reports that men accused of killing Hannah Witheridge and David Miller withdrew confessions Jamie Doward Sat 11 Oct 2014 07.15 EDT Last modified on Sat 2 Dec . Hannah Witheridge and David Miller's bodies were found on a beach in Koh Tao in September 2014. The Koh Tao murders involved the death of two British tourists in Thailand in 2014. Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo know this too well. [36] Footage near the crime scene also showed one of the three men running into a shortcut. Ill never meet anyone like her. Lucy and Hannah were both receiving training to help people with speech difficulties, and Lucy said Hannah wanted to go on to work with children. He was found hiding on the boat later on 2 October. [51], The prosecution also claimed the defendants entered the country in violation of the Immigration Act of 1979. DNA was collected from these three areas and sent to a police forensics lab for analysis. Several forensic experts claimed the police collected forensic evidence from the scene dubiously and was not subject to independent oversight or verification. The family said it had brought to a close a "lengthy and disturbing period" where activists on social media had attempted to influence justice in Thailand and public opinion elsewhere. The bodies of David Miller, 24, from Jersey and Hannah Witheridge, 23, from Norfolk, were found on a beach on Koh Tao in September 2014. Millers family also travelled to Koh Samui, the larger island near Koh Tao where the trial was held, to see some of the evidence. Around three weeks ago, on September 15, their bodies were found together . [1][4][24] Witheridge's body indicated she had been raped. Zaw Lin, as pimply as any teen, chats eagerly of his love of Manchester United and star Portuguese winger Nani. Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, were murdered on the Thai island of Koh Tao in September 2014. Traditional longtail boats, a rainbow of scarves adorning their bows, bob on the lapping water of the glistening bay. A year after Millers death his parents unveiled a memorial for him, a bench on the north coast of his home island, inscribed, Never let a person sit alone. Thai king commutes sentence of UK pairs killers, Russia launches missile attacks on Ukraine, Explosion derails train in Russian border region, JP Morgan snaps up troubled US bank First Republic. Magazines, Digital Witheridge and Miller are the two British tourists who were found dead after being chopped up on a Thailand beach. Witheridge is a native of Great Yarmouth in the Southwest coast of England. [11][19] Several other suspects were also named, amid pressure to produce results, a new one every other day. Despite so many alleged loopholes in the investigation procedure, the court found Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo guilty of murder and sentenced them to death on December 24, 2015. Lin and Phyo (also known asWin Zaw Htun)were sentenced to death for the murder of Mr Miller and the murder and rape of Ms Witheridge. Some of these workers said they can earn more money in Thailand compared to Myanmar. These illegal workers often reside with friends on the island, making it difficult to identify them. Call Us Today! The sweet reek of marijuana is commonplace even in prominent beachfront bars, while cocaine and crystal meth, known locally as yaba or crazy drug, are not hard to find, say locals. Wai Phyo says officers removed his clothes and left him naked in a freezing room for 20 minutes. According to reports, the police sought his friend, who shared a room with David, in the double homicide, and a nationwide manhunt was launched. There were 362 U.K. citizens who met their end in Thailand in 2014, more so even than in France, which attracts almost 20 times as many British visitors. [15] Some migrants who were questioned complained that officers scalded them with boiling water during interrogations, allegations which were denied by the police. [47] Thailand's National Human Rights Commission attempted to investigate the allegations, but police representatives did not appear at four scheduled meetings. They also raised concerns with the absence of legal counsel prior to the confession, as well as difficulties with translation and interpretation. Yet it remains an open secret that organized crime is rampant on these islands, says Saksith. The family of a British backpacker killed in Thailand have welcomed a decision to commute his murderers' death sentences to life in prison. The families that run the island and police that guard it deny any involvement with narcotics. But many have concerns that the scene was contaminated immediately after the discovery of the bodies; myriad officials, journalists and even bewildered tourists were seen traipsing through the area while evidence was still being gathered. [21][73], The death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment on 14 August 2020 following a royal decree to commemorate King Vajiralongkorn's birthday and "illustrate the king's clemency". 2145/2559, "Two British tourists found dead on Thai island of Koh Tao", "Suspects in Thai Tourist Murders Face Dubious Trial", "Manhunt underway after brutal murder of 2 British tourists on Koh Tao", "Thailand's paradise island murder mystery", "What the Murder of Two British Tourists Tells Us About Thailand's Dark Side", "Thailand's Supreme Court upholds death penalty for men convicted of murdering British backpackers", "Koh Tao DNA evidence & international standards", "Thai court upholds death penalty for murder of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller", "Thailand backpacker murders: Burmese workers sentenced to death", "Thailand beach murders: A flawed and muddled investigation", "Koh Tao murders: DNA matches, confessions obtained, crime re-enacted", "Hearings Open Into Killings of Two British Tourists on Thai Island (Published 2014)", "Thai king commutes death sentence for Myanmar men in British tourist murder case", "Burmese men confess to killing British tourists on Koh Tao, Thai police say", "The Investigation Into Thailand's Backpacker Slayings Is Officially a Farce", "Migrants accused of murder of British couple in Thailand recant confessions", "Thai Dictator Faces Ire Over Murder Probe", "Koh Tao murder suspects plead not guilty", "Burmese pair to be executed for murder of British tourists on Koh Tao, Thailand", "2 Sentenced to Death in Killing of British Tourists in Thailand (Published 2015)", "Thailand murders: Two men found guilty and face death for UK killings", "Thai beach murders: Convicted men lose death sentence appeal", "Thai beach murders: Death sentence upheld by Supreme Court", "Backpacker's family 'grateful' for Thai king's clemency", "Koh Tao pair claim they were tortured before confessing", "Thai beach murders: DNA investigation into death of British backpackers Hannah Witheridge and David Miller 'incompetent at best', "Koh Tao murders: suspects in killing of David Miller and Hannah Witheridge say they were framed", "Koh Tao's dark side: dangers of island where Britons were murdered", "Thai Paradise Gains Reputation as 'Death Island', "Foreign Office calls in Thai diplomat over murder inquiry concerns", "Thailand murder suspects can't have British police report: UK judge", "Thai officials on alert as Myanmar protests spread", "Prayut lashes out at Myanmar Koh Tao protestors", "Thailand's Migrant Worker Woes Exposed in Koh Tao Murder Case", "Govt vows "high-tech" defence against hackers", "Island killings prompt stiffer worker rules", "Contesting narratives: the Koh Tao tourists murders", "Unofficial translation of Koh Samui Provincial Court No. frases sobre el tiempo y la verdad, old dunstan trail map, how to use a pressure plate in minecraft,
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