Victim’s mother “does not want killers executed’
CARDIFF, UK: The mother of Katherine Horton, raped and murdered on a beach on Koh Samui on New Year’s Day, does not want her daughter’s killers to be executed, a British newspaper has reported.
The News of the World quoted Elizabeth Horton as saying that Bualoi Kosit, 23, and Wichai Somkhaoyai, 24, should instead spend the rest of their lives behind bars for raping and killing her 21-year-old daughter.
Mrs Horton told the newspaper: “I’ve never believed in the death penalty, but I believe life means life.
“A life sentence would be appropriate. I don’t agree with taking anyone’s life and Katherine wouldn’t believe in that either. I don’t think that serves any purpose.
“If they are behind bars until they die it will stop it happening to anyone else.”
Bualoi and Wichai have pleaded guilty to raping and murdering Ms Horton – offenses that carry the death penalty in Thailand. However, it is normal for Thai courts to halve sentences for those who plead guilty or, in the case of a death sentence, to commute the penalty to life imprisonment.
The two are due to be sentenced on Wednesday.
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