Thailand confirms life sentence for Daniel Sancho for murder of Colombian surgeon Edwin Arrieta
The Phuket Court of Appeals rejected the defence's appeal and upheld the conviction of Spanish national Daniel Sancho for the murder of Edwin Arrieta in 2023.
Thai court upholds life sentence against Daniel Sancho
The Phuket Court of Appeals rejected on Friday the appeal filed by the defence of Spanish national Daniel Sancho and confirmed the life sentence against him for the premeditated murder of Colombian surgeon Edwin Arrieta, which occurred in August 2023 on the island of Koh Pha Ngan, according to laopinion.com.co.
The defence had requested a retrial or a new hearing with additional witnesses. Neither of the two requests was admitted. The decision was communicated in a closed-door session and subsequently forwarded to the Samui Provincial Court for reading before the authorised parties.
The Arrieta family: "No one seeks revenge"
The relatives of the Colombian surgeon, represented by Ospina Abogados, received the ruling with respect and highlighted that Thai justice upheld the criminal responsibility established against Sancho.
Beatriz Uriarte, managing partner of Ospina Abogados, declared to Europa Press: "We are pleased with the result of the work carried out in coordination with the lawyers in Thailand." Uriarte also underscored the joint effort of the legal teams from Colombia, Thailand and Spain throughout the process.
The law firm stated that it would review the ruling, in particular its effects and the matters that remain pending within the proceedings.
In its statement, the family was explicit regarding its intentions: "No one seeks revenge and nothing can return Edwin to his family or repair the suffering caused." The firm requested recognition of the facts, assumption of responsibilities and an apology.
Premeditation established by the court
During the trial, Sancho maintained that Arrieta died accidentally during a discussion and that he acted in self-defence. The investigation, however, determined that the surgeon was stabbed in the throat and that his body was dismembered and disposed of in different locations, including the sea.
Among the evidence that weighed in the sentence were security camera recordings that captured Sancho buying knives and other items before the crime, along with witness testimony and forensic analysis. The court concluded that premeditation existed, taking into account both the purchases before the murder and the subsequent actions aimed at concealing the body.
With the confirmation of the ruling, the life sentence against Daniel Sancho for the murder of Edwin Arrieta remains in force.
Source: Google News CO — Crime