‘Wrongly jailed’ teacher’s case ‘correctly done’: Police

A police commander said the investigator responsible for the case of a “wrongly jailed” schoolteacher did his job in accordance with laws and based on evidence.

Pol.Col. Mana Pohchuay, secretary to Inquiry Official Association and commander of Toong Song Hong police, was ordered to check the case file of Jomsap Saenmuangkot, who claimed she spent a year and a half in prison for a hit-and-run death she wasn’t responsible for, Sanook reported.

Mana said he found that the investigator of Renu Nakorn police station, Nakhon Phanom, completed the case file correctly, swiftly, and in accordance with the laws. The case file was accompanied by a witness statement from the crime scene, material evidence and forensic evidence.

The investigator who was responsible for this case started the interrogation in March 2005, and summoned Jomsap to hear the charge in June 2005. Jomsap, however, refused to give evidence to the investigator and insisted on giving her evidence in the court so the investigator only submitted the case file based on the evidence he had.

“If she had protested and presented evidence to support her claim, the official would have investigated it,” said Pol.Col. Mana.

“The case is now undergoing fact-checking in accordance with the Retrial of Criminal Case Act. It is too soon to make a conclusion about whether she was a scapegoat or not.”

Pol.Maj.Gen. Piyapan Pingmuang, deputy spokesperson of the Royal Thai Police, confirmed that the police will proceed with the case honestly and fairly. He asked the public not to jump to the conclusion that the police had done their job incorrectly.

Police Commissioner General Pol.Gen. Chakthip Chaijinda told Khaosod that if the investigator made a mistake in the case file, the teacher will receive compensation. But if it turns out that she intentionally made a false report and was indeed guilty in the case, the police may consider pressing another charge against her for ruining the reputation of the police force.

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