AT THE court hearing of the high-profile police torture case today (Nov. 19) the main suspect, Pol. Col. Thitisan Uttanaphon, aka Superintendent Joe Ferrari, and six others all denied the key charge of intentionally torturing a drug suspect to death with two plastic bags, Sanook.com said.
The four charges the seven suspects face at the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases are malfeasance, abuse of authority, intentionally torturing leading to death and coercion.
While Joe Ferrari pleaded guilty to the first, second and the fourth charges he denied the third charge, saying he acted in line of duty and did not intend to kill the drug suspect, Mr. Jirapong Thanapat, or Mawin, 24.
The suspects were accused of attempting to get 2 million baht from the dead drug suspect.
The remaining second to seventh defendants pleaded guilty to some of the remaining charges while denying others with details differring.
Mr. Chakkrit Khlandee, the deceased suspect Jirapong’s father, said that the Nakhon Sawan prosecutor had recommended that he appoint a lawyer to represent him as co-plaintiff to keep abreast of all the legal proceedings.
He added that after listening to the seven defendants today he felt they gave reasonable testimonies on the performance of their duties.
At the sametime he said he continued to deeply pity his deceased son and when he closed his eyes he could see him undergoing the violence which was unacceptable.
The court has scheduled the next hearing to examine evidence on January 19, 2022.
CAPTION:
Superintendent Joe Ferrari. Photos: Sanook.com
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