FULL TEXT: A Thai woman convicted last year of colluding to
conceal the body of a 79-year-old Japanese companion, killed by her Thai
husband in 2014, has been acquitted of involvement in the murder of another
Japanese man back in 2003.
In January last year, the Appeal Court upheld a 20-year jail
sentence handed down against Pornchanok Chaiyapa, 51, for helping her husband,
Somchai Kaewbangyang, conceal the body of Yoshinori Shimato, a Japanese language
teacher, and stealing money from him.
Somchai, who admitted guilt to premeditated murder, was
sentenced to life by the Court of First Instance.
Shimato's dismembered body was found dumped in Klong Nang
Thing in Bang Bo district in Samut Prakan on Oct 13, 2014.
The case prompted a re-investigation into the death of
Pornchanok's former Japanese husband, Kasitosi Tanaka, who police originally
concluded died after falling down some stairs in 2003. The case was treated as
an accident.
After Tanaka died, Pornchanok received more than three
million baht from her husband's life insurance.
The re-investigation came after Tanaka's daughter, Keiko
Matta, who suspected he could have been murdered, went to Bang Phli police in
Samut Prakan in October, 2014 to ask officers to re-open the case.
During the investigation, Somchai confessed to also
murdering the Japanese businessman, while Pornchanok denied all charges in
connection with the Tanaka case.
According to the lower court's ruling yesterday, Somchai
admitted murdering Tanaka out of jealousy. The evidence was strong enough to
believe that he was the sole murderer.
The court initially sentenced Somchai to life in prison for
the killing, but the sentence was later commuted to 33 years and four months
due to his confession.
According to the court, prosecutors could not find witnesses
or evidence linking Pornchanok to the killing. There was no evidence suggesting
Pornchanok was aware that her then Japanese husband had life insurance which
may have motivated her to take his life in the hope of getting the insurance
money, the court said.
Pornchanok had asked several people not to reveal that
Somchai was in the house at the time of Tanaka's death. However, the court said
since this happened some time after Tanaka's death there was no evidence
proving Pornchanok had a motive to kill him.
The court acquitted Pornchanok of conspiring to commit
premeditated murder.
[“Thai woman acquitted of murder rap,” Bangkock News
(Thailand), Mar. 17, 2018]
***
Pornchanok Chaiyapa & Somchai Kaewbangyang, accomplices;
Samut Prakan, Thailand. CHRONOLOGY
2003 – Kasitosi Tanaka (57), husband #1, murdered.
Sep. 21, 2014 – Yoshinori Shimato missing.
Oct. 13, 2014 – Yoshinori Shimato (79), husband #2, murdered
& dismembered. Shimato’s dismembered body was found dumped in Klong Nang
Thing in Bang Bo district in Samut Prakan on Oct 13, 2014.After Oct. 13, 2004 –
Tanaka case re-opened after victim’s daughter, Keiko Matta, who believed her
father was murdered, went to Bang Phli police in Samut Prakan.
Oct. 14, 2014 – Pornchanok Chaiyapa arrested. initially
arrested for allegedly using the Yoshinori’s ATM card to steal money from his
bank account after his death. She was later named a suspect in the murder case,
along with her partner Somchai.
Oct. 14, 2014 – Pornchanok Chaiyapa (47), and her
husband Somchai were detained at the 2nd Cavalry Division King’s Guard
barracks on Phahon Yothin Road in Phaya Thai district, Thairath
reported.
Oct. 24, 2014 – Pornchanok Chaiyapa and Somchai Kaewbangyang
"re-enact" their crime for police.
Oct. 25, 2014 – Somchai Kaewbangyang confesses to 2 murders.
(reported on Oct. 25)
Jan. 13, 2016 – Pornchanok Chaiyapa (49) sentenced to 20
years in prison (reduced from 48, then from 24, for confessing) for helping her
husband Somchai conceal Shimato's body and stealing money from him; Somchai Kaewbangyang
(49) life in prison for murder of Yoshinori Shimato. The court initially sentenced Somchai to death.
Mar. 17, 2018 -- Pornchanok Chaiyapa acquitted of Tanaka
murder; lack of evidence.
Jun. 27, 2019 – State appeal against Pornchanok Chaiyapa
acquittal fails.
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For links to other cases of woman who murdered 2 or more husbands (or paramours), see Black Widow Serial Killers.
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[177-1/3/2021]
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