‘iPhone killers’ both receive death penalty
CCTV footage rules out greater leniency
The Criminal Court yesterday sentenced two men to death for killing a man for his iPhone 6, worth about 26,000 baht, in Bangkok’s Lat Phrao district in January.
Kittikorn Wikaha, 26 of Sa Kaeo province, and Supatchai Charnsri, 25 of Uthai Thani were sentenced for the murder of Wasin Lueangjaem, 26, on Sukhonthasawat Road on the night of Jan 4.
Although both admitted to the crime the court did not commute their sentences, reasoning they had to confess because surveillance camera footage showed them in the act.
The court also judged it was unlikely the men would reform their behaviour because they had committed numerous crimes in the past.
The men were charged with theft causing death, carrying a weapon in a public place, and murder to conceal a crime.
The security camera footage showed Wasin being attacked by the two men, who approached him on a motorcycle while he was using his phone.
Wasin is seen fighting back and Kittikorn then stabbed him in the neck, upon which the victim fell to the ground. The attackers stole his phone and left his wallet.
According to the court, a security guard nearby who witnessed the attack managed to single out the two attackers as he was able to recognise their faces.
Fingerprints on a crash helmet left by one of the attackers also matched those of Supatchai, while the smartphone taken from the victim was also found with Supatchai, the court was told.
Following the court’s sentence, Wasin’s older sister Saruta said she was satisfied with the death sentence handed to the convicts.
She said her parents had forgiven the attackers for what they did, but they did not show up at the court as they were not ready to face the killers of their son.
Gp Capt Pracha Yusamran, a lawyer representing Wasin’s family, said if the convicts want to appeal he is ready to challenge them.
It is possible the convicts would seek to have their sentences reduced, he said.
The suspects allegedly committed three other 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 murdered Wasin and took his iPhone. A few hours after the the two allegedly stole another iPhone from a woman on soi Sukhonthasawat 9.
They are also accused of later robbing another woman and making off with her phone and 5,000 baht from outside Synphaet Hospital in Kannayao district.
Since the age of 13, Kittikorn has been jailed eight times for trespassing, physical assault and drug abuse. He was released in December, shortly before murdering Wasin.