BANGKOK — A Thai court on Tuesday began the trial of the son of Spanish actors accused of murdering and dismembering a Colombian surgeon on a popular tourist island.
Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, 29, was charged by prosecutors in October in the death of Edwin Arrieta Arteaga, whose remains were found stuffed in plastic bags at a landfill on Koh Pha Ngan, an island famous for its ” rave-style full-moon parties.
Lawyer Juan Gonzalo Ospina Serrano, who represents Arrieta’s family, told reporters outside the Koh Samui provincial court before the trial that the family trusts Thai prosecutors to deliver justice.
“They are grateful and hope that Thai law is strict and the truth can be told,” he said.
The charges against Sancho include premeditated murder, concealing a body and destroying documents of others, which is linked to the alleged damage to Arrieta’s passport. Sancho pleaded not guilty to premeditated murder and destruction of documents, but pleaded guilty to hiding the victim’s body.
The charge of premeditated murder carries the death penalty. The maximum penalty for damaging other people’s documents is a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of 100,000 baht ($2,750). Concealing or damaging a body is punishable by up to one year in prison and a fine of 20,000 baht ($550).
The trial opens with statements from witnesses called by the plaintiff, said Apichart Srinual, a Thai lawyer who represents Sancho.
Asked if he was confident in his defense’s case, Aprichart said “it depends on the evidence,” adding that “there are a lot of witnesses.” It depends on what they say.
Sancho was driven to court in a closed car and was not visible to journalists waiting outside. Sancho’s father, Spanish actor Rodolfo Sancho, also appeared in court but declined to comment.
Sancho, a chef, was arrested in August after the remains of Arrieta, 44, were discovered in the dump.
Police said Sancho came to report a missing person and was later arrested. He then allegedly confessed to killing and dismembering Arrieta and throwing the body parts into the landfill and the sea, although he denied his act was premeditated, according to police.
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