Edwin Arrieta’s parents ‘fall out’ of the trial against Daniel Sancho: the Thai court rejects their testimony

New twist in the Thai procedure that will judge the murder of Edwin Arrieta. With six days left until the trial against Daniel Sanchoaccused of the death of the plastic surgeon, the Thai court has denied the statement of the victim’s parents, who had requested his presence and testimony through a videoconference from Colombia.

The Court of Koh Samui has argued that there are no technical means to carry out said connection, although it has assured the Arrietas’ defense that their story, in which they prove that their son was their financial support and the complicated financial situation in which are found after his death, will be taken into account during the oral hearing.

The news comes just two days after a significant drop in the list of witnesses presented by the accused, son of Rodolfo Sancho, was notified. The Spanish chef’s lawyers had gathered 27 people who supported his line of defense but three of them have stepped back at the last moment. This is Daniel’s ex-girlfriend (a key piece in proving that the accused was allegedly coerced and threatened by the victim) as well as another friend and a psychiatrist who confirmed Sancho’s state of “insurmountable fear.”

A media trial

The trial will be held over 15 working days from Tuesday to Friday starting next April 9. Based on Thailand’s procedural code, the judge could end this process at any time. This will depend on whether he considers that he has enough to determine Daniel Sancho’s sentence, that is, whether he is guilty or innocent of this murder. Daniel Sancho is accused of premeditated murder and concealment of a corpse, although he has only admitted to the second crime. The Spanish chef’s version is that the Colombian surgeon died accidentally in a struggle between the two when he wanted to end their intimate relationship. Then, scared, he disposed of the body.