Doctor Testifies In Murder Trial

PHUKET TOWN: A doctor who examined the body of Roger Jennings testified in court yesterday that the 56-year-old British publican died from a loss of blood following 19 stab wounds. Dr Somchai Chaichayanon of Kathu Hospital was the only witness called to the stand on Monday before Phuket Provincial Court Judge Amornpoj Kulwijit in the ongoing trial of two suspects charged in connection with the murder of Jennings at his Patong Hill Estate Home on December 15, 1997. The witness told the court he examined the body of the deceased on the night in question while on duty at the government-run hospital. Phuket Public Prosecutor Chestavit Tantiphanwadee told the court his office was unsuccessful in its attempts to serve a subpoena on a second scheduled witness, an employee of the Alice Bar, a Patong Beach establishment owned and operated by defendant Nongnut Tungkaburi. The prosecutor said the employee, whom he did not name in court, was reportedly no longer residing in Phuket. Nongnut, who is standing trial along with Kraisorn Kamnoun, was Jennings’ common law wife. The trial is scheduled to resume on February 9, 1999. In a separate trial of a minor charged in connection with Jennings’ murder, State Prosecutor Somporn Assawakaewmonkol told the Gazette yesterday that six of 19 scheduled witnesses have provided testimony. The suspect, who was 17 years old at the time of his arrest, has pleaded guilty in Phuket Provincial Juvenile and Family Court to charges he participated in the murder of Jennings and stole personal property owned by the victim. Thai law does not permit the disclosure of the names of juvenile suspects on trial. Even though the defendant has confessed to his crimes, testimony is being gathered by the court prior to the sentencing phase. The prosecutor said that in addition to testimony before Juvenile and Family Court Judge Duangjai Nakin, witnesses are providing the court sworn statements taken in several provinces, including Chiang Rai, Surat Thani, Buri Ram, Udon Thani and Chaiyaphum.