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British backpackers murder trial: DNA samples available for retesting British backpackers murder trial: DNA samples available for retesting
(34 minutes later)
Key DNA crime scene samples, previously believed to have been destroyed, will be available for re-testing in the trial of two Burmese migrants workers accused of killing two British tourists in Thailand. Key DNA crime scene samples, previously believed to have been destroyed, will be available for retesting in the trial of two Burmese migrants workers accused of killing two British tourists in Thailand.
Lead defence lawyer Nakhon Chompuchat said the court asked the defence team on Friday to provide a list of the evidence they want independently tested. Police say DNA from both the accused was found at the crime scene.Lead defence lawyer Nakhon Chompuchat said the court asked the defence team on Friday to provide a list of the evidence they want independently tested. Police say DNA from both the accused was found at the crime scene.
“Now we must decide what to re-test,” Chompuchat said. “Now we must decide what to retest,” Chompuchat said.
Inconsistencies over the police investigation emerged at the start of the trial earlier this month when a testifying police officer said that the sperm samples — the main evidence against the two men – had been “used up”. Inconsistencies over the police investigation emerged at the start of the trial earlier this month when a testifying police officer said that the sperm samples – the main evidence against the two men – had been “used up”.
But on Thursday, police forensic expert Kewalee Chanpan told the court that although the cotton buds used to take the samples were not available, the DNA extracted still existed.But on Thursday, police forensic expert Kewalee Chanpan told the court that although the cotton buds used to take the samples were not available, the DNA extracted still existed.
Other evidence available for re-testing includes blood and shoes found on the beach, and the alleged murder weapon, a hoe, which was allegedly used to kill Hannah Witheridge, 23, from Norfolk, and David Miller, 24, from Jersey, on Sairee beach on Koh Tao island on 15 September 2014. Other evidence available for retesting includes blood and shoes found on the beach, and a hoe which was allegedly used to kill Hannah Witheridge, 23, from Norfolk, and David Miller, 24, from Jersey, on Sairee beach on Koh Tao island on 15 September 2014.
Andy Hall, a migrants’ rights activist from Britain who is working for the defence, said he was pleased the evidence was being made available but was still concerned about the reliability of the samples.Andy Hall, a migrants’ rights activist from Britain who is working for the defence, said he was pleased the evidence was being made available but was still concerned about the reliability of the samples.
“We are not confident in the chain of custody of the samples,” he said, speaking from outside the court in the larger island of Koh Samui. He also complained that some CCTV footage from the night of the murders was not looked at by police.“We are not confident in the chain of custody of the samples,” he said, speaking from outside the court in the larger island of Koh Samui. He also complained that some CCTV footage from the night of the murders was not looked at by police.
Thai police deny any wrongdoing.Thai police deny any wrongdoing.
Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo, both 22-year-old bar and restaurant workers, initially admitted to the murders. They later retracted their confessions, saying they had been tortured and threatened with death by their interrogators.Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo, both 22-year-old bar and restaurant workers, initially admitted to the murders. They later retracted their confessions, saying they had been tortured and threatened with death by their interrogators.
The high-profile case has thrown the spotlight on Thailand’s legal failings and distressed the grieving families.The high-profile case has thrown the spotlight on Thailand’s legal failings and distressed the grieving families.
The criminal trial will continue until 25 September. A verdict is expected in October. There will be no jury.The criminal trial will continue until 25 September. A verdict is expected in October. There will be no jury.
Police say Miller suffered head injuries and drowned in shallow water while Witheridge was raped and died from severe head injuries. The two met on the island last September.Police say Miller suffered head injuries and drowned in shallow water while Witheridge was raped and died from severe head injuries. The two met on the island last September.
The authorities want to solve the case quickly as it threatens the country’s vital tourism industry. Human rights groups say Burmese migrant workers, of whom there are about 2.5 million, have previously been wrongly accused of crimes by Thai police.The authorities want to solve the case quickly as it threatens the country’s vital tourism industry. Human rights groups say Burmese migrant workers, of whom there are about 2.5 million, have previously been wrongly accused of crimes by Thai police.
Members of the Miller and the Witheridge family attended the first three days of trial from 8-11 July but were not present for the second session of three days ending on Friday. Members of the Miller and Witheridge families attended the first three days of the trial from 8-11 July but were not present for the second session of three days ending on Friday.
They have asked for privacy. Miller’s father told journalists that the family felt compelled to fly out for the trial. “It’s been a very emotional time for us,” he said at the court this month. “It’s been hard, very hard.”They have asked for privacy. Miller’s father told journalists that the family felt compelled to fly out for the trial. “It’s been a very emotional time for us,” he said at the court this month. “It’s been hard, very hard.”