Terms upheld for men who tried to kill Charnchai
The Appeals Court yesterday upheld a lower court's verdict against five suspects in the assassination attempt on former Supreme Court president Charnchai Likhitjittha three years ago.
Gunman Phanuphong Rattanaphaibool, who confessed and named four other defendants as organisers of the hit, leading to their conviction, will still be imprisoned for six months. Meanwhile, the other four will still have to serve their sentence of 16 years and eight months, which was reduced from the original 25 years. A fifth defendant, Sakchai sae Lim, was acquitted because of insufficient evidence.
The defendants, Khamik Sukkhakanjanaphas, Major Thianchai Muangjanthuek, Suchart Sabmanee and junior naval officer Sukree Khaophong, were convicted and sentenced by Samut Prakan Court last year.
Speaking via teleconferencing to the defendants detained at the Samut Prakan Court, the threemember Appeals Court quorum said the defence had no grounds and sentences could not be commuted. They said the defendants’ motive was politically influenced but did not provide details on why the four wanted Charnchai dead before April 7, 2009, when a key political rally was scheduled the next day. Charnchai is privy councillor now.
