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Family of Briton murdered in Thailand: 'It's been hard, very hard' Family of Briton murdered in Thailand: 'It's been hard, very hard'
(about 9 hours later)
The family of David Miller, a British tourist who was brutally murdered in Thailand last year, have described for the first time the pain of returning to the site of his killing in Koh Tao and then sitting a few metres from the men accused of his killing during the first days of trial.The family of David Miller, a British tourist who was brutally murdered in Thailand last year, have described for the first time the pain of returning to the site of his killing in Koh Tao and then sitting a few metres from the men accused of his killing during the first days of trial.
Speaking to reporters at the courthouse on Koh Samui, a larger island where the three-month trial began on Wednesday, they said they had visited the beach where David, 24, was killed along with Hannah Witheridge and left a message for their son and brother as well as a copy of David’s funeral program at a small personal shrine.Speaking to reporters at the courthouse on Koh Samui, a larger island where the three-month trial began on Wednesday, they said they had visited the beach where David, 24, was killed along with Hannah Witheridge and left a message for their son and brother as well as a copy of David’s funeral program at a small personal shrine.
“Part of the reason for coming out, was to go to Koh Tao. We had one day on Koh Toa, it was really hard,” said Mrs Miller, who asked not to be named. David’s brother said: “I can’t describe how I feel.”“Part of the reason for coming out, was to go to Koh Tao. We had one day on Koh Toa, it was really hard,” said Mrs Miller, who asked not to be named. David’s brother said: “I can’t describe how I feel.”
The three Millers have sat for three days in court along with the brother and father of Hannah Witheridge, hearing police and doctors describe the brutal details of the murders. Police said that both were killed with a hoe. They say Miller suffered head injuries and drowned in shallow water and Witheridge was raped and died from severe head injuries.The three Millers have sat for three days in court along with the brother and father of Hannah Witheridge, hearing police and doctors describe the brutal details of the murders. Police said that both were killed with a hoe. They say Miller suffered head injuries and drowned in shallow water and Witheridge was raped and died from severe head injuries.
The brother and father of 23-year-old Hannah Witheridge walked out of court on Friday after the hearing was shown images of her mutilated body and graphic details of the attack were discussed, such as bite marks that were found on her body.The brother and father of 23-year-old Hannah Witheridge walked out of court on Friday after the hearing was shown images of her mutilated body and graphic details of the attack were discussed, such as bite marks that were found on her body.
When Crime Scene Investigation Officer Parsing Sartprasert was called as a witness to testify, he was shown the photos and describe the attack. The Witheridge family, clearly distressed, bowed their heads, walked out the court room and drove away from the courthouse.When Crime Scene Investigation Officer Parsing Sartprasert was called as a witness to testify, he was shown the photos and describe the attack. The Witheridge family, clearly distressed, bowed their heads, walked out the court room and drove away from the courthouse.
Reporters have been allowed to observe the trial but forbidden from taking notes during court hearings.Reporters have been allowed to observe the trial but forbidden from taking notes during court hearings.
Mr Miller told journalists that the family felt compelled to fly out for the trial.Mr Miller told journalists that the family felt compelled to fly out for the trial.
“It’s been a very emotional time for us,” he said. “It’s been hard, very hard.”“It’s been a very emotional time for us,” he said. “It’s been hard, very hard.”
Asked if they would stay for the entire trial, he said: “We are going to keep in touch with whole process, depending on work commitments. Whether here or not, we’ll be listening to it.”Asked if they would stay for the entire trial, he said: “We are going to keep in touch with whole process, depending on work commitments. Whether here or not, we’ll be listening to it.”
22-year-old Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo, both Burmese migrant workers, initially admitted to the murders. But they later retracted their confessions, saying they had been tortured and threatened with death by their interrogators.
Related: Burmese men face trial for murder of British backpackers in ThailandRelated: Burmese men face trial for murder of British backpackers in Thailand
22-year-old Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo, both Burmese migrant workers, initially admitted to the murders. But they later retracted their confessions, saying they had been tortured and threatened with death by their interrogators.
Their legal team is made up of pro-bono lawyers who criticise Thai police for improperly collecting evidence at the crime scene, intimidation and abuse of witnesses. These claims have been denied by the Thai police.Their legal team is made up of pro-bono lawyers who criticise Thai police for improperly collecting evidence at the crime scene, intimidation and abuse of witnesses. These claims have been denied by the Thai police.
“We’ll go with the flow as much as we can. We won’t comment on the trial process. We’ll be dignified for David,” Mr Miller said when asked about the hearing.“We’ll go with the flow as much as we can. We won’t comment on the trial process. We’ll be dignified for David,” Mr Miller said when asked about the hearing.
“We came out with an open mind. We are specifically keeping an open mind. There has been lots of chit-chat on the Internet. We are here for David because of his tragic death.”“We came out with an open mind. We are specifically keeping an open mind. There has been lots of chit-chat on the Internet. We are here for David because of his tragic death.”
Wai Phyo, speaking to the Guardian in court on Thursday, repeated that he had been tortured to confess. In a handwritten note passed to reporters, he said: “I came to Thailand because I had no money. I came here to make money for my family and to survive. I never want anyone else to face what I am facing. Prison is like hell”.Wai Phyo, speaking to the Guardian in court on Thursday, repeated that he had been tortured to confess. In a handwritten note passed to reporters, he said: “I came to Thailand because I had no money. I came here to make money for my family and to survive. I never want anyone else to face what I am facing. Prison is like hell”.
The Witheridge family have not spoken directly to press. They said in a written statement sent via the UK Foreign Office on Wednesday: “Hannah was a beautiful person, inside and out, she brought a room alive just being there. She was fun, honest and loved life. Her bright future was brutally ended, leaving those who loved her broken with no answers.”The Witheridge family have not spoken directly to press. They said in a written statement sent via the UK Foreign Office on Wednesday: “Hannah was a beautiful person, inside and out, she brought a room alive just being there. She was fun, honest and loved life. Her bright future was brutally ended, leaving those who loved her broken with no answers.”
“Please allow the police and the court to do their jobs during the coming weeks and months. We of course want to see those responsible for the brutal murder of our precious girl brought to justice.”“Please allow the police and the court to do their jobs during the coming weeks and months. We of course want to see those responsible for the brutal murder of our precious girl brought to justice.”