Three lifers seek lower jail terms over murder


 

Buth Reaksmey Kongkea

Three accused men yesterday urged the Phnom Penh Appeal Court to reduce their life sentences meted out over the murder of a taxi driver in order to make off with his car and other valuables. 

The murder took place on July 6, 2019 in Phnom Penh’s Chroy Changva district and the victim’s body was thrown in a rice field in Kandal province’s Ksach Kandal district. The body was found by villagers on July 9. 

Presiding Judge Pol Sam Oeun named the three men as Mai Sari, 28; his brother Mai Tan, 27; and a friend Chea Kong Dina, 23. He identified the victim as Meas Sophorn, 29. 

Judge Sam Oeun said that they were arrested on July 3, 2019 in Svay Rieng province’s Bavet city and brought back to the capital.  

He noted that the Phnom Penh Municipal Court charged them with “premeditated murder” under Articles 29 and 200 of the Criminal Code and on June 15, 2020 sentenced to a life sentence each. 

According to the court’s document, on the day of victim’s murder at about 5:30 pm on June 6, 2019, the three accused hired the victim to drive them from Phnom Penh to Prey Veng province. 

Upon reaching the outskirts of the city in Chroy Changvar district, they told victim to drive them to a restaurant in Prek Leap commune and invited him to dine and drink together with them. 

They slipped some sleeping medicines into the victim’s beer glass when he went to the restroom. 

When the victim passed out they left the restaurant at about 7.30 pm and carried him to his car. They placed him on the front passenger seat next to Tan who then drove. 

During the journey, Sari and Dina who were seated behind used wires to strangle the victim to death, dumped the body and stole the car, two phones, a gold necklace and some cash.

 

During yesterday’s appeal hearing, the trio admitted they had killed the victim in order to steal from him. They said they were addicted to drugs as well as casino gambling and needed money.

 

A verdict is due on July 6.

 

 


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