The justice system in Thailand has sentenced Spanish national Daniel Sancho to life in prison for the murder of Colombian surgeon Edwin Arrieta, whose remains were found in August of last year on Pangan Island, where they had planned to spend a vacation. Sancho has been found guilty of premeditated murder, dismemberment and concealment of the body, and for destroying the victim’s passport. He has also been ordered to pay about 106,000 euros to the victim’s family, who was financially dependent on him. Both parties are still considering their options for appeal, either to the Court of Appeals or to the Supreme Court. The appeals process typically takes about a year, according to legal sources.
During the trial held on the island of Samui, the judge explained that the sentence was reduced from the death penalty to life in prison due to Sancho’s cooperation during the investigation. The prosecutor, who had charged Sancho with premeditated murder and requested the death penalty, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the trial, as he was convicted on all charges. The Thai penal code punishes murder with various sentences, ranging from 15 to 20 years up to life imprisonment and death penalty. Sancho initially admitted to the crime after his arrest, but later claimed that Arrieta had died accidentally during a fight in self-defense against a supposed sexual assault. He has only admitted to one of the charges, the concealment of the body, which carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison.
The verdict was announced amid media frenzy and in a heavily restricted judicial proceeding. The judge, whose identity remains undisclosed, began reading the decision around 10:55 AM local time, with Spanish translation through video conferencing available for the interested parties. Sancho’s parents, actor Rodolfo Sancho and investment analyst Silvia Bronchalo, along with the accused and his legal representatives in Thailand, were present at the trial. Rodolfo Sancho arrived at the court around 9:15 AM, accompanied by his legal advisor Alice Keartjareanlap. The court was closely followed by Sancho’s court-appointed lawyer Aprichat Srinual, who arrived early for the proceedings.
The victim’s parents, Leovoldo Jose Arrieta and Ana Marcela Arteaga, who had acted as co-plaintiffs, did not travel to Thailand for the trial and will be informed of the verdict from Colombia. A representative of the Arrieta family’s legal team in Thailand expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, stating that justice had been served. The family will reconsider the compensation amount awarded and has the right to appeal if dissatisfied. The legal representatives in Spain, Ospina Abogados, will hold a press conference in Madrid to provide further information. The awarded indemnity of 106,000 euros was less than what the family had requested, and the Thai lawyers estimated the damage to be much higher.
Friends of the victim, including childhood and family friends of Edwin Arrieta, have expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision. They believe that the sentence handed down to Sancho is fair and feel that there is no justification for an appeal. Despite the possibility of an appeal, they are hopeful that justice will be served in this tragic case. Overall, the verdict has brought a sense of closure to the friends and family of the victim, as they continue to seek justice for Edwin Arrieta.
