The second session of the trial against Spanish citizen Daniel Sancho, accused of the premeditated murder of Colombian surgeon Edwin Arrieta, continues with the testimony of four additional witnesses from the prosecution, including the shop assistants who sold the accused knives and cleaning materials before Arrieta’s death. The trial is taking place at the provincial court of Samui (an island in southern Thailand), and the accused’s father, Spanish actor Rodolfo Sancho, and mother, investment analyst Silvia Bronchalo, are in attendance. Despite the prohibition of journalists in the courtroom, there is a strong media presence outside the tribunal. Rodolfo Sancho has requested respect from the media, asking them not to block his path or push him as he enters the court.
The lawyer representing the family of Edwin Arrieta in Spain, Juan Gonzalo Ospina, has stated that he anticipates a long and complicated day of proceedings, similar to the previous day which lasted longer than expected. The witnesses set to testify are individuals who had contact with Sancho in Phangan (the neighboring island where the alleged crime took place on August 2) before Arrieta’s death, including the person who sold him the kayak believed to have been used to dispose of the Colombian’s body parts in the sea. The shop assistants from the supermarket and hardware store where Sancho purchased knives, cleaning products, and a saw the day before the supposed murder are also expected to testify. The prosecution aims to demonstrate that the crime was premeditated with these witness testimonies.
The defense lawyer for Sancho, Aprichat Srinuel, stated that the witnesses scheduled for Wednesday are still circumstantial. He emphasized being prepared for a case with numerous witnesses and forensic evidence, and warned that the defense would fight the case thoroughly. The prosecution has charged Sancho with premeditated murder of Arrieta, as well as other offenses including concealing the body and destroying the Colombian’s passport. The Spanish citizen faces the maximum penalty of the death sentence. Sancho and Arrieta had met in 2022 through Instagram and had seen each other multiple times in Spain before meeting in the tourist destination of Phangan.
The trial of Daniel Sancho for the murder of Edwin Arrieta continues with the testimony of witnesses who had interactions with the accused before the alleged crime. The presence of media and family members in the court adds to the intense atmosphere surrounding the trial. The prosecution aims to establish a case of premeditated murder through witness testimonies and evidence gathered before and after the incident. The defense is preparing to counter the prosecution’s case with a thorough and comprehensive defense strategy. The trial is expected to provide further insight into the events leading up to Arrieta’s death and the involvement of Sancho in the crime. The outcome of the trial could have significant implications for both the accused and the victim’s families.
