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| Thailand murders: Two on trial over British tourist deaths | Thailand murders: Two on trial over British tourist deaths |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The men accused of the murder of two British tourists on the island of Koh Tao have gone on trial in Thailand. | The men accused of the murder of two British tourists on the island of Koh Tao have gone on trial in Thailand. |
| Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo deny killing David Miller, 24, from Jersey, and Hannah Witheridge, 23, from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. The pair also deny rape. | Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo deny killing David Miller, 24, from Jersey, and Hannah Witheridge, 23, from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. The pair also deny rape. |
| The backpackers' bodies were found on a beach last September. | The backpackers' bodies were found on a beach last September. |
| Their families have travelled to the nearby island of Koh Samui where the two migrant workers from Myanmar, also known as Burma, have gone on trial. | |
| Mr Miller's family said they hoped justice would be done "fairly and openly", while Ms Witheridge's relatives said both families were "united in grief". | Mr Miller's family said they hoped justice would be done "fairly and openly", while Ms Witheridge's relatives said both families were "united in grief". |
| "We of course want to see those responsible for the brutal murder of our precious girl brought to justice," they said ahead of the trial. | "We of course want to see those responsible for the brutal murder of our precious girl brought to justice," they said ahead of the trial. |
| The BBC's Jonah Fisher, in court, said the accused, who he described as young men of slight build, were brought to court in chains. | The BBC's Jonah Fisher, in court, said the accused, who he described as young men of slight build, were brought to court in chains. |
| The first police officer called to the scene of the killings was the first witness to give evidence. | The first police officer called to the scene of the killings was the first witness to give evidence. |
| Lieutenant Jakrapan Kaewkao explained how the bodies, both of which were mostly unclothed, were found a few metres apart on a beach on Koh Tao. | Lieutenant Jakrapan Kaewkao explained how the bodies, both of which were mostly unclothed, were found a few metres apart on a beach on Koh Tao. |
| Ms Witheridge's body bore signs of physical assault, said Lieutenant Kaewkao, a witness for the prosecution. | Ms Witheridge's body bore signs of physical assault, said Lieutenant Kaewkao, a witness for the prosecution. |
| A doctor who examined the bodies of the two Britons is expected to be called later. | A doctor who examined the bodies of the two Britons is expected to be called later. |
| 'Truth revealed' | 'Truth revealed' |
| The two accused were arrested several weeks after the bodies were found. | The two accused were arrested several weeks after the bodies were found. |
| Police say DNA tests link both men to Ms Witheridge's body. | Police say DNA tests link both men to Ms Witheridge's body. |
| The defence have called for this DNA evidence to be independently re-tested, alleging the men have been framed. | |
| As he walked into the courtroom, defence lawyer Nakhon Chompuchat said he hoped the trial would be fair. | As he walked into the courtroom, defence lawyer Nakhon Chompuchat said he hoped the trial would be fair. |
| "We hope the truth will be revealed," he said. | "We hope the truth will be revealed," he said. |
| "We hope the mechanism of justice in Thailand... will have the same standards of international countries." | "We hope the mechanism of justice in Thailand... will have the same standards of international countries." |
| Verdicts in the case are not expected until October. | Verdicts in the case are not expected until October. |