Life sentence upheld in singer's death
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The Appeals Court yesterday upheld the life sentence handed down to 48-year-old Somkid Pumpoung, who allegedly killed five sex workers, for the murder of cafe singer Warunee Pimpabutra, 25, in Mukdahan's Muang district.
The prosecution claimed Somkid confessed to killing Warunee and stealing her valuables worth Bt50,000 in a hotel room between January 30-31, 2005. The lower court had given him a death sentence for the murder and a three-year jail term for stealing. The term was reduced to life imprisonment because Somkid’s confession had been useful to the case. The lower court also ordered him to pay Bt50,000 to the victim’s family. The Appeals Court yesterday found Somkid guilty as charged, while witnesses had no motive in framing him as claimed.
