Pair sentenced to death for killing man in iPhone robbery

The crime, which took place in early January in Bangkok’s Lat Phrao district, was captured in a CCTV system. 
The Criminal Court yesterday convicted Kittikorn Wiphana, 26, and Supatchai Chansi, 25, of the fatal robbery and handed down the death penalty.
Despite their confession, the court said there was no reason to commute their punishment, reasoning that they pleaded guilty only because the evidence against them was so strong.
CCTV recordings showed Kittikorn stabbed Wasin Luangjaem, 26, several times in the torso and once in his throat before snatching his mobile phone and fleeing on a motorcycle driven by Supatchai.
Police found that the two robbers also stole from other victims on the night they killed Wasin. 
Criminal records show the two men met in jail while serving time for earlier crimes. After they completed their jail terms, they allegedly carried out a series of robberies together.
Kittikorn had been arrested nine times before, the first time when he was 16.
Supatchai had seven previous arrests, beginning in 2007 for robbery. His arrests were mainly related to drug charges.
Both Kittikorn and Supatchai have been in custody since they were arrested in connection with Wasin’s killing in January.