37 years in jail for ‘popcorn gunman’ murder
THE CRIMINAL Court yesterday sentenced the man known as the “popcorn gunman” to more than 37 years in jail for murder and attempted murder as a result of a high-profile incident during a “Bangkok Shutdown” rally in 2014.
Wiwat “Top” Yodprasit, 25, was also found guilty of possessing guns and ammunition without permission, carrying guns and ammunition in public places without permission and carrying guns in areas under an emergency decree.
The court sentenced him to life imprisonment but commuted it to 37 years and four months on the grounds that he confessed to the crimes during the police investigation, although he maintained his innocence during the trial.
Appeal planned
On February 1, 2014, the day before the general election, Wiwat attended a demonstration at Bangkok’s Lak Si district, firing shots at the IT Square shopping centre and killing Akae Sae Liew and seriously wounding Sombun Sakthong and Nakarin Utsaha.
Pictures showed Wiwat wearing a balaclava with the gun concealed by a large popcorn bag except for the top of the barrel.
Police later released a picture of him not wearing the balaclava and showed it to his brother, who confirmed the picture was of Wiwat.
Both pictures showed Wiwat wearing the same clothes, vest and radio equipment.
During the police investigation, Wiwat confessed and re-enacted the crime at the scene.
Had he been threatened to confess, he could have filed a complaint with police, the court said.
During the Lak Si incident, 22 men dressed in black were caught in CCTV footage walking from the Lak Si intersection to an area where People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) protesters and supporters of a general election clashed.
As shots were fired and rocks thrown, a white pickup was seen transporting guns to a group. Wiwat was seen running to the pickup to take a weapon.
CCTV footage also showed a man in the back of the vehicle shouting: “Aim the gun when they come out. Take a shot at them.”
The court dismissed Wiwat’s testimony that he had performed his duty as a security guard for the PDRC during the incident.
Puangthip Bunsanong, his defence lawyer, said her client would appeal the ruling and seek a temporary release by posting bail of Bt3 million.
Wiwat has not previously been granted bail.
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