Murray released on bail

PHUKET: Six weeks after Englishman David Murray was charged with the murder without intent in the death of his eight-year-old stepson, Narid “Curly” Budtharai, he is out on bail with a court date yet to be set.

Angered by the slow response, Curly’s natural father Pissanu Badtharai asked for support from the Bangkok-based Pavena Foundation for abused women and children. The foundation has sent a letter supporting K. Pissanu to the Provincial Police Region 8 Commander Lt Gen Thanee Thawichsee.

The officer in charge of the case, Tung Tong Police investigator Lt Col Passakorn Sonthikul, told the Gazette yesterday that a court date had yet to be set for Murray.

“The court has allowed David out on bail, but I’m still investigating the case and still questioning Ramida Murray [Curly’s mother].”

It was K. Ramida who first informed police of the incident. In the police report she said that Murray kicked the boy in the chest, knocking him to fall to the floor. He lost consciousness when his head hit the floor and later died.

Mr Budtharai, an ethnic Nepali, said that he has taken his second son, who is autistic and shows scars and bruises allegedly caused by Murray’s beatings, to another province to live with his grandmother.

Mr Budtharai said that one of his concerns was that the charges against Murray would be dropped because he is an English citizen. Because of that, the Pavena Foundation and Mr Budtharai also sent a letter to the British Embassy requesting support and fairness.