From the Guardian · Agence France-Presse and Associated Press · · 1m 20s
Australian man pleads not guilty in Thai teen death case
Simon Peter Carman denies murdering 17-year-old Tunchanok Donhomla in Pattaya, claiming self-defence.
In brief
Simon Peter Carman denies murdering 17-year-old Tunchanok Donhomla in Pattaya, claiming self-defence. An Australian man accused of killing a Thai teenager and concealing her body in a suitcase has entered a not guilty plea, with his defence resting on a self-defence claim. Originally reported by the Guardian.
Australian man pleads not guilty
Simon Peter Carman, 45, appeared in Pattaya court on Friday and denied murdering Thai teenager Tunchanok Donhomla, 17, and concealing her body in a suitcase.
Teen reported missing in June
Tunchanok Donhomla was reported missing in Pattaya, about 150 kilometres south-east of Bangkok. A suitcase containing her body was found shortly after her disappearance.
Carman arrested in June
Carman was arrested in June after the teenager went missing. Police said she died of suffocation.
CCTV shows entry and exit
Police said CCTV footage showed Carman entering a Pattaya condominium with the girl in the early hours of 25 June and leaving that evening carrying a large black suitcase.
Carman claims self-defence
In a police interrogation video, Carman said he was acting in self-defence because the girl was threatening him with a knife.
“he was acting in self-defence because the girl was threatening him with a knife”
Multiple charges filed
Carman faces charges of murder, concealing a body, and taking a minor for indecent purposes. The next court hearing is scheduled for 12 October.
What it means
An Australian man accused of killing a Thai teenager and concealing her body in a suitcase has entered a not guilty plea, with his defence resting on a self-defence claim.
