The prosecution and the private prosecution in the trial against Spanish national Daniel Sancho in Thailand for the alleged murder of Colombian surgeon Edwin Arrieta have acknowledged the difficulty in proving that the crime was premeditated. The prosecutor, Jeerawat Sawatdichai, stated that it was challenging to establish premeditation in the case, as this element is crucial for a potential death penalty. Sancho is accused of premeditated murder, dismemberment and concealment of the body, and destruction of the victim’s passport. Sancho initially confessed to the crime but later pleaded not guilty to premeditated murder in court.
The lawyer representing Arrieta’s family in Spain, Juan Gonzalo Ospina, also acknowledged the difficulty in proving premeditation. He emphasized the importance of establishing whether Sancho had a preconceived plan to kill Arrieta, as the family believes that was the case. The prosecution has presented evidence of Sancho’s purchases of knives, a saw, trash bags, and other items prior to the alleged murder, suggesting a planned crime. However, proving premeditation remains a challenge in the legal proceedings, according to Ospina.
In the first phase of the trial, which began on April 9, the prosecution called on 28 witnesses, including police officers, forensic experts, and witnesses to Sancho’s purchases before the incident on August 2. The defense will now present its witnesses, with Sancho being the first to testify. The trial is set to conclude on May 3. The family of Arrieta is seeking a minimum compensation of 410,000 euros for the financial impact of the loss of the victim, who was the main financial provider for the family. The Thai lawyers representing the family have formally requested 30 million bahts in compensation.
The family has presented medical documents showing the emotional toll of the loss on the parents of Arrieta, who are experiencing depression, anxiety, and nightmares. The legal proceedings in Thailand do not have established compensation rates for murder cases, leaving the decision to the judge’s discretion based on the evaluation of the damage. The actor Rodolfo Sancho, father of the accused, stated that no agreement has been reached regarding compensation. Any potential payment would be necessary for Sancho to request a transfer to a Spanish prison if he is convicted, provided he does not receive a death penalty.
The defense will now present its witnesses, including Sancho’s father, actor Rodolfo Sancho, and two police officers from the island where the crime allegedly took place. The final decision on compensation will be up to the judge’s evaluation based on the evidence presented. The legal proceedings have been emotionally challenging for the family of the victim, who were unable to testify in person due to visa issues and the age of the parents. The trial has brought to light the complexities of proving premeditation in criminal cases and the impact of the crime on the families involved.
