MARK McLAUGHLIN
Edinburgh Evening News
10 May 2010
ONE of the men accused of killing a Lothians schoolteacher in Thailand is behind bars today but Foreign Office officials say he may have escaped a murder charge.
Chatchai Tarasaksit, one of three men originally accused of the murder of former Lasswade High music teacher David Crisp, has pleaded guilty to selling stolen goods.
He was sentenced to two years in prison, reduced by half on account of his guilty plea, during a trial earlier this year.
However, Foreign Office officials say he does not appear to be facing any further charges in relation to the murder of Mr Crisp.
The 56-year-old was found stabbed and beaten at his home in the northern city of Chiang Mai on 22 January last year.
A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: " He [Tarasaksit] pleaded guilty to selling stolen goods and was given a two-year sentence.
"We have received no further information regarding his murder charge. He has only been charged with selling stolen goods.
"It would appear that he is facing no more charges."
Mr Crisp's killers struck him over the head with teak vase, before slitting his throat and making off with a stolen safe.
However, the Foreign Office is currently unable to establish whether Tarasaksit's recent trial was related to selling goods stolen during the killing, or on a separate charge.
Tarasaksit initially admitted his part in the killing, but later changed his plea to not guilty.
His co-accused, Awoei Yaepiang, is set to stand trial on 23 November this year after he pleaded guilty to murdering Mr Crisp, and not guilty to charges of stealing his property.
Following his arrest close to the Burmese border, Yaepiang admitted his part in the killing and was photographed demonstrating how one of his accomplices bludgeoned Mr Crisp with the vase.
A third man, known only as Mr Jack, is still on the run.
Thailand is still in the grip of political protests that have stifled the economy, scared off tourists and sparked the country's deadliest political clashes in 18 years.
However, the Foreign Office says that the protests have not affected the justice system in Thailand and are unlikely to have any bearing on the trial.
Mr Crisp's sister-in-law Susan said: "The trial appears to be progressing as normal by Thai standards.
"We have been given absolutely no background knowledge about what happened that day, so we're just going to have to wait to see what is said when this other man goes to court in November."
MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO COMPOSER
A MUSICAL suite composed by David Crisp is set to be performed in Edinburgh next month.
Doi Suthep, is inspired by a Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai.
According to legend, the temple was founded by a king who received a part of Buddha's shoulder bone.
The relic was placed on the back of an elephant, which climbed Doi Suthep mountain and trumpeted three times before dying. It was interpreted as a sign and the temple was constructed at the site.
Mr Crisp's sister-in-law Susan said: "It's a really beautiful piece. It's good that we are able to keep David alive through his music."
The suite will be performed at a fundraiser for The Open Orchestra, which Mr Crisp helped to found, at Nicolson Square Church on 5 June from 7:30pm. Entry is free and a closing collection will be held.
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