Two indicted in iPhone murder-robbery

Two indicted in iPhone murder-robbery

Caught on video: murder victim Wasin Luangjaem (right) is seconds away from death from a slash to the throat by a thief who stole his mobile phone and rushed away on a motorcycle driven by his accomplice on Jan 4.
Caught on video: murder victim Wasin Luangjaem (right) is seconds away from death from a slash to the throat by a thief who stole his mobile phone and rushed away on a motorcycle driven by his accomplice on Jan 4.

Prosecutors have formally indicted the two men charged with stabbing a man to death and stealing his iPhone in Bangkok on Jan 4.

Jetsada Arunchaiphirom, a senior prosecutor for criminal litigation, said prosecutors had agreed to indict Kittikorn Wikaha, 26, of Sa Kaeo, and his alleged accomplice Supatchai Charnsri, 25, of Uthai Thani.

He was speaking Tuesday as he announced progress in the case at the Office of the Attorney-General on Ratchadaphisek Road.

The suspects are accused of killing Wasin Luangjaem, a former worker at Suvarnabhumi airport, on the night of Jan 4 in Lat Phrao district.

They have been charged with theft subsequently causing death, carrying a weapon in a public place, and murder to conceal a crime.

Mr Jetsada said prosecutors decided to indict Mr Kittikorn and Mr Supatchai as police have solid evidence, including security camera footage, that proves the suspects colluded to rob and kill Wasin.

The security camera footage shows Wasin, 26, being attacked by two men who approached him on a motorcycle.

Wasin is seen fighting back in the footage. One of the men, identified as Mr Kittikorn, is seen stabbing Wasin in the neck, upon which the victim falls to the ground. The attackers stole only the victim's iPhone 7 and left his wallet behind.

Last week, Khok Khram police overseeing the case submitted an investigation report to prosecutors for review.

A three-member working panel was set up to consider the evidence provided by police and decide whether to indict the suspects.

Mr Jetsada said prosecutors had opposed the request for bail, saying the suspects posed a flight risk.

Mr Kittikorn and Mr Supatchai will face the strongest possible punishment, the death penalty, if convicted.

Such criminals pose a great threat to the public, Mr Jetsada added.

The suspects allegedly committed four crimes on the night of Jan 4 and in the early hours of Jan 5.

On Jan 4, they allegedly tried and failed to snatch a bag from a woman on soi Sukhonthasawat 27. Eight minutes later, they allegedly murdered Wasin and took his iPhone. A few hours later the suspects allegedly stole an iPhone from a woman on soi Sukhonthasawat 9.

They are also accused of later robbing another woman and making off with her mobile phone and 5,000 baht from outside Synphaet Hospital in Kannayao district.

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