Canadian Murdered by Thai Policeman in Chiang Mai

CNN International

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- A Thai police officer fatally shot a Canadian man and wounded his pregnant companion during a scuffle outside a bar in northern Thailand, authorities said Monday.

The officer told investigators the shooting was an accident, but he was charged with premeditated murder, said police Col. Sombat Panya of Pai district in northern Mae Hong Son.

John Leo Del Pinto, 25, died early Sunday of two gunshot wounds -- one to the face and one to the torso -- and his partner, Carly Reisig, also of Canada, was hospitalized with a bullet wound, Sombat said.

The bullet grazed Reisig's upper left torso, and the fetus was unharmed, Sombat said.

The couple, who had rented a home in the town of Mae Hong Son, were at a bar in Pai when they began arguing, Sombat said. Their argument turned physical outside the bar and when a police officer tried to intervene the couple attacked him, Sombat said.

A Canadian Embassy spokesman in Bangkok did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

The officer, Sgt. Uthai Dechawiwat, told investigators that Del Pinto tried to grab his pistol and the gun "accidentally went off" three times, Sombat said.

However, Uthai was charged with premeditated murder for Del Pinto's death and with "intent to kill" in connection with Reisig, Sombat said. Uthai was released on bail.

The couple had rented a home for several years in Mae Hong Son, on the border with Myanmar, but took regular trips in and out of Thailand to extend their short-term tourist visas, Sombat said. Their hometowns in Canada were not immediately known, he said.


Bangkok gossip columnist Stickman reports that the cop shot the man in the mouth.


Ajarn.com thread here.


The Nation has the report here.