DNA queried as Myanmar men go on trial for murder of United Kingdom tourists

The trial of two men accused of murdering Norfolk student Hannah Witheridge has resumed in Thailand, despite confusion over evidence crucial to the defence case.

“The judge will call the police officer in charge of the evidence for the case to court tomorrow to negotiate the re-examination process”, said U Sein Htay, president of the Migrant Worker Rights Network, which has been assisting the defence.

He said the DNA on Hannah’s body was not his responsibility and forensic teams in Bangkok should be contacted about the whereabouts of any potential remaining samples.

Chief defence lawyer Nakhon Chompuchat told reporters that a garden hoe allegedly used as the murder weapon would be retested. “Some things he is not sure about”. When the verdict is delivered in October, we can only hope that justice will be served. The judges will rule on whether it can be independently tested on Friday.

23-year-old Hannah from Hemsby near Great Yarmouth was killed on the island of Koh Tao in September previous year.

Mr Miller, 24, from Jersey, drowned in the sea after receiving head injuries.

Lt Jakkapan Kaewkao said: “I found a man’s body lying on the beach with seawater lapping his body”.

“Then I found the woman’s body behind the rocks”.

He also said the rocks were spotted with blood. Mr Miller was face down.

Earlier Wednesday the families of both victims released statements confirming they would attend the trial’s opening at the imposing courthouse perched on a hill overlooking Samui’s lush palm trees and white beaches.

There is a long way to go yet, with the trial not expected to finish in late September, giving Thai authorities plenty of time to restore confidence that justice will be done.

Statements by the defence maintain that the outcome of the high-profile case will reflect on Thailand’s treatment of its migrant community as well as on the validity of the country’s criminal justice system.

Both accused men deny the killings.

They both now claim they were framed.

The Miller family said in a statement this week: “The act which ended David’s life devastated our family and his friends”.

The three Millers have sat for three days in court along with the brother and father of Hannah Witheridge, hearing police and doctors describe the brutal details of the murders.