Last updated on August 29th, 2024 at 10:56 pm
Bangkok: A Thai court is expected to announce its verdict on Thursday in the case related to murder and dismemberment filed by the 30-year-old Spanish chef, Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, son of actor Rodolfo Sancho, against Colombian plastic surgeon Edwin Arrieta Arteaga. The crime has sent shockwaves across Spain, and many reporters have gone there to cover the trial.
Details of the Daniel Sancho Murder Case
Background of the Case:
Daniel Sancho is accused of killing and dismembering Arrieta on the resort island of Koh Pha Ngan last year. The trial, which started in April on the neighboring island of Koh Samui, has heard charges of premeditated murder, hiding a body and destroying documents.
Sancho has confessed to killing Arrieta but said he did so in self-defence. He also admitted hiding his body, but denied destroying Arrieta’s passport.
The trial itself has heard that Sancho put parts of Arrieta’s body into plastic bags and scattered them around the island of Koh Pha Ngan. For these crimes, he could face the death penalty; however, if convicted, the family of the victim would prefer a life sentence.
Arguments by Defense and Prosecution:
The criminal defense has maintained that the killing was an accident following an act of self-defense, after the said Arrieta tried to sexually assault him. Sancho’s father then claimed in the documentary there was a “fight, and in this fight there was an accident.”
The position of the Defense Team:
Carmen Balfagon, one of the lawyers representing the family of Daniel Sancho, says their argument is enough to engender hope.
Daniel Sancho Bronchalo awaits a sentence for a complex case with very heated legal and emotional debates; a sentence which is being closely watched by Thailand and Spain in equal measure.
