Brits murdered on a paradise beach in Thailand.
THE families of two Brits murdered on a paradise beach in Thailand may never see justice — amid fears of a police cover-up.
The killings of backpackers Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, last September cast a grim shadow over the holiday hotspot.
The suspicion of a cover-up is the latest twist in the trial of two Burmese migrants over the killings.
The case against Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo, both 22, has been riddled with controversy.
Rumours of a set-up by Thai authorities, desperate to preserve the country’s “paradise” image for tourists, are rife.
And now lawyers for the accused say the lack of re-testable DNA samples is proof of a disastrous police investigation, and possibly even a cover-up.
Brits who hoped for the sort of transparent, fair trial they would expect at home look increasingly like they might be disappointed.
The police say they have a watertight case and DNA links the defendants to the crime scene.
But critics, who include a group of British expats, reckon the Burmese men are scapegoats.
The trial, which adjourned on Friday after just three days, did nothing to dispel those fears.
Events at the small courtroom, on the island of Koh Samui, 6,000 miles from the UK, exposed the darker side of Thailand.
Journalists have been told they can’t write notes in court — something not unheard of but rare in Thailand — and the local press is conspicuous by its absence. Then there is the intimidation.
Thickset, menacing-looking Thai men hang around the court, glaring at witnesses and western journalists. We are told some are police officers in plain clothes
Sky News’ local Thai translator refused to return to court on day two of the trial saying she had been “frightened off by the mafia”.
The defendants initially admitted killing Hannah, 23, of Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, who was also sexually assaulted, and David, 24, of Jersey, on the island of Koh Tao.
The suspects later insisted they were forced to confess after being tortured by interrogators.
If found guilty they could face the death penalty by lethal injection. But in a significant development, the court agreed to let the defence re-test supposedly damning DNA.
The move could eventually see the case chucked out as only a handful of items found at the crime scene can be re-examined.
These include a garden hoe, believed to be the murder weapon, and a few pieces of clothing.
Swabs of DNA taken from Hannah and David’s bodies have all been used up, the court heard.
The trial is due to resume next week and the defence is preparing to argue for the men’s acquittal.
A small army of expats have been at court each day to make it clear they think the wrong men are in the dock.
Andy Hall, who campaigns on behalf of Burmese workers who are often poorly paid, badly treated and given few rights, helped organise the defence team, whose lawyers are working for free.
Andy, originally from Peterborough, said: “They told us they feared for their lives and they believed they were just going to disappear if they didn’t admit to the crime. They were threatened with execution, with being burned, with being electrocuted.”
Mr Hall stressed: “We are not working to ensure that someone guilty of crime gets off. We are here to ensure a fair trial and justice for everybody.”
Up to a dozen westerners take seats in court at various times, behind the defendants who are shackled and in orange prison uniforms.
Locals talk of corruption, violence and threats all being part of island life. A handful of wealthy Thai families “run” Koh Tao, own many businesses and have the local cops eating out of their hands.
Police deny any wrongdoing.
A British woman, who refused to be identified, said she believed the defendants had been set-up.
“You have to understand how things work out here,” she said.
The trial has been horrendous for Hannah’s dad and brother, and David’s parents and brother, who have attended the court.
Craning their necks to hear the whispers of the translators next to them, they have had to endure unbelievably distressing evidence.
Witnesses described how David and Hannah’s semi-naked bodies were discovered.
The families have also had to see photos of their bodies, taken at the crime scene.
But despite all the rumours, the Miller family is keeping an open mind. A verdict won’t be delivered until October.
Original found her:http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news
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