Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, the son of a renowned Spanish actor, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of Colombian plastic surgeon Edwin Arrieta Arteaga on the island of Koh Phangan in Thailand.
The case, which took place last year, has garnered widespread attention in Spain. Due to Sancho's family's high profile, numerous reporters have been drawn to the trial.
Sancho, a 30-year-old chef, was found guilty of premeditated murder. The court on Koh Samui also ordered him to pay 4.4 million baht (approximately $130,000) in compensation to Arrieta's family.
The victim's family expressed satisfaction with the outcome, noting that the life sentence and financial compensation were just.
The gruesome nature of the crime shocked many, as the trial revealed that Sancho had dismembered Arrieta's body, disposing of the remains across various locations on Koh Phangan. Despite Sancho's claims of self-defense, alleging that Arrieta had attempted to rape him, the court determined that the murder was premeditated.
Evidence presented during the trial showed that Sancho had already purchased knives, plastic bags, and cleaning supplies.
Sancho's defense team has indicated plans to appeal the sentence, while his parents, including his father, actor Rodolfo Sancho, have remained silent.
Although Thailand still enforces the death penalty for certain crimes, including premeditated murder, executions are rare, with the last occurring in 2018.
The victim’s family, who had previously expressed a preference for a life sentence, stated that they were relieved by the court's decision, emphasizing that Sancho should remain in Thailand to reflect on his actions for the remainder of his life.
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