Millers family also travelled to Koh Samui, the larger island near Koh Tao where the trial was held, to see some of the evidence. Far from official oversight, de facto control falls to the owners of booming hospitality businesses that were developed on land originally obtained, via government concessions, for coconut plantations. The defense lawyers urgently need both crucial information gained from the re-examination of forensic evidence in this case and also adequate time to consider this information prior to the trial beginning, said lead defense lawyer Nakhon Chomphuchat in a statement last month. [50], An 18-day trial began on 8 July 2015 in the Koh Samui Provincial Court. Two Burmese workers were sentenced to death in 2015,. According to reports, Davids family welcomed the commutation of the sentence. The police categorically deny any mistreatment and no officer has been charged to date. [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". These rocks are no strangers to explosive secrets. [62] They were both also charged with entering the country illegally, to which Wai Phyo had already confessed. He was interrogated and captured while his clothes and motorcycle were seized as evidence. The families that run the island and police that guard it deny any involvement with narcotics. Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo, both 22-year-old ethnic Rakhine from Burmas restive Arakan state, were arrested on Oct. 2. When the bodies of British tourists 23-year-old Hannah Witheridge and 24-year-old David Miller were found brutally murdered on the remote Thai island of Koh Tao, the police immediately concluded that the killer had to be a foreigner, as a Thai person couldn't be capable of such brutality. [51][56][57] They argued that the defendants, since they were vulnerable as illegal migrant workers, were scapegoated by the police for the crime. Sean McAnna, a terrified friend of murdered David Miller, flees Koh Tao Thai king commutes sentence of UK pairs killers, Russia launches missile attacks on Ukraine, Air strikes pound Sudan capital as truce extended, MasterChef Australia host Jock Zonfrillo dies. Is climate change killing Australian wine? Vrady Hannah Witheridge a Davida Millera: Kde jsou te Zaw Lin a Wai Dabid had also suffered deep lacerations to his skull before drowning in the shallow surf. The next in size is Koh Phangan, home of the infamous Full Moon parties, with a reputation for drugs and debauchery. Miss Witheridge, a University of Essex student from Hemsby in Norfolk, and Mr Miller, a civil and structural engineering graduate, from Jersey, were bludgeoned to death. [21][25] There was tearing present at the vulva, bruising on the perineum, and a bite mark on her right nipple. David and Hannah were seen together at a local pub called AC Bar with friends on September 14th, according to reports, before they left together at 1:00 am. In September 2014, Hannah Witheridge and David Miller only met by chance while backpacking on the island, but when their bodies were found together on Sairee Beach, they would become linked forever by a tragic mystery. The island of Koh Tao is located in Southern Thailand. Two Burmese workers were sentenced to death in 2015,. [10], Witheridge and Miller travelled and arrived on the island separately on 25 August. Hannah Witheridge (left), 23, and David Miller, 24, were killed on the island of Koh Tao on 15 September 2015. "Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo finally admitted to the rape and murder of Hannah Witheridge and the murder of our son.". They had only been in the country for days before they were murdered. They had no prior criminal records. [31] A British defence lawyer, Felicity Gerry QC, said the trial was "far too rushed and unfair to the defense". People come to Thailand to get away from it all. David Miller, 24. [14][22] The police moved the bodies to prevent them being swept up in the rising tide. They also pointed out several mistakes the incompetent investigators committed during the probe and alleged the officers restored to torture to make the defendants admit to the crime. Hannah Witheridge and David Miller's bodies were found on a beach in Koh Tao in September 2014. [5][40] The commutation was welcomed by Miller's family. They stated they were driven by a desire to rape the victim following sexual arousal when they saw the couple kissing on the beach. [48], The guilty verdict resulted in widespread protests in Myanmar. Sister of murdered Brit backpacker died 9 weeks into pregnancy and 'no All Rights Reserved. He was travelling Southeast Asia with a friend after completing a six-week work placement in Australia with a mining company,[6][8][9] and arrived in Thailand in August.

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