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Thailand murders: Two on trial over British tourist deaths Thailand backpacker murders: Two on trial over Britons' deaths
(about 2 hours 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. The first police officer to reach the scene has given evidence, describing how the bodies, mostly unclothed, were found a few metres apart.
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". Lieutenant Jakrapan Kaewkao, a prosecution witness, told the court in Koh Samui he received a phone call at about 06:30 on 15 September informing him two bodies had been found.
"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. "I found a man's body lying on the beach with seawater lapping his body. Then I found the woman's body behind the rocks," he said.
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. Lieutenant Kaewkao said Ms Witheridge's body bore signs of physical assault.
The first police officer called to the scene of the killings was the first witness to give evidence. In court
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. Jonah Fisher, BBC Myanmar/Burma correspondent
Ms Witheridge's body bore signs of physical assault, said Lieutenant Kaewkao, a witness for the prosecution. The two defendants, Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo, shuffled into court number six at Koh Samui Provincial Court.
A doctor who examined the bodies of the two Britons is expected to be called later. Legs chained together, they sat attentively. Both had their hair cut short and were clad in beige prison uniforms.
'Truth revealed' The judge quickly confirmed that they still wished to plead not guilty and proceedings got under way.
The two accused were arrested several weeks after the bodies were found. At the front of the room, a shopping trolley stuffed full of evidence sits waiting. Most of the contents are wrapped but the shape of a guitar can be clearly made out.
Police say DNA tests link both men to Ms Witheridge's body. First to give evidence was police officer Lieutenant Jakrapan Kaewkao. He was one of the first on the scene and was quickly walked through events of the morning of 15 September, and the gruesome scene on Sairee Beach.
The defence have called for this DNA evidence to be independently re-tested, alleging the men have been framed. At that point we were forced to leave the courtroom. The families of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller had arrived, space needed to be found in the small courtroom and almost all of the journalists were evicted.
Later, more space was found and we were allowed in on the strict condition that we take no photos, turn our phones off and write nothing down.
A doctor who examined the bodies of the two Britons is expected to be called to give evidence later.
The two defendants, who are migrant workers from Myanmar, also known as Burma, were arrested several weeks after the bodies were found.
They are said to have confessed to the crime shortly after the killings but have since retracted their statements.
The investigation was widely criticised amid allegations of police incompetence.
'United in grief'
Police have said DNA tests link both men to Ms Witheridge's body.
The defence have called for this evidence to be independently re-tested, alleging the men have been framed. Both defendants have repeatedly stated their innocence.
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. We hope the mechanism of justice in Thailand... will have the same standards of international countries," he said.
"We hope the mechanism of justice in Thailand... will have the same standards of international countries." The victims' families are in Koh Samui for the trial.
Speaking before the hearing, 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.
Verdicts in the case are not expected until October.Verdicts in the case are not expected until October.