Daniel Sancho, a Spanish man, admitted before the judge on Tuesday that he felt “regretful and guilty” after a fight with Edwin Arrieta that, according to his version, caused the death of the Colombian surgeon and for which he is being tried for premeditated murder in Thailand. The accused began testifying on Tuesday in the Samui Provincial Court, responding to questions from his lawyer regarding the events that took place on August 2 on the Thai island of Phangan.
During his testimony, Sancho stated that he felt “regretful and guilty” after seeing the state in which Arrieta was left following their fight in Sancho’s hotel room in Phangan. Sancho claims that Arrieta began convulsing after hitting his head on the sink during the altercation. Sancho’s declaration, which took place behind closed doors, lasted approximately 3 and a half hours. The Spanish man is charged with premeditated murder and dismemberment of Arrieta. His lawyer, Apichart Srinual, stated that Sancho expressed his regret before the tribunal as he did not intend for the incident to occur.
Sancho, who is 29 years old, reiterated during questioning by his lawyer that Arrieta’s death occurred as a result of self-defense after Arrieta allegedly attempted to “violate” him and threatened him and his family. Sancho’s testimony was consistent with his previous statements, where he declared himself not guilty of planning Arrieta’s death and claimed it was an accident. The Spanish man is set to answer questions from the prosecutor on the following day, providing a detailed account of his movements since arriving in Thailand on July 30, his time in Phangan, and the night of Arrieta’s death among other events.
Mettapon Suwancarer, the lawyer representing Arrieta’s family, stated that Sancho expressed his regret at one point during the proceedings, although briefly. The lawyer further added that Sancho detailed the events leading up to and following Arrieta’s death, including the dismemberment of the body and disposal of body parts in various locations. The details of whether the incident was self-defense or premeditated will be examined by the prosecution and co-prosecution during the following day’s proceedings.
Initially confessing the crime to the Phangan Police, Sancho later pleaded not guilty during the first hearing on April 9, only admitting to the charge of concealing the body through dismemberment. He denied the other two charges against him, premeditated murder and destruction of Arrieta’s documentation. Sancho is scheduled to testify again the following day, followed by three defense witnesses, including forensic psychologists, as the trial nears its conclusion, expected to end on Friday.
