Doody case unlikely to affect temple

Bangkok Post,

US Supreme Court to rule on Thai-born man's fate

• Published: 29/09/2010 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

The fate of Jonathan Doody, a Thai-American who had his conviction over the massacre of nine people at a temple in Arizona overturned in 2008, rests with a US Supreme Court ruling on Monday.

  Doody: 17 years old at time of killings

If the court chooses not to hear Arizona's appeal of the decision to overturn Mr Doody's conviction, the now 36-year-old will be set free.

Mr Doody, whose Thai name is Veerapol Kamkaew, was convicted of gunning down nine people, including six monks, at a Thai temple west of Phoenix in 1991. He was sentenced to 281 years in prison for the murders. Mr Doody was 17 years old at the time.

The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals in 2008 overturned his conviction. The court found that Maricopa County Sheriff's Office detectives had coerced Mr Doody's confession.

The state of Arizona then sent the case to the US Supreme Court, which will hand down a ruling on Monday on whether Mr Doody is to be retried or set free.

Alan Dershowitz, the Harvard law professor representing Mr Doody, held a news conference in front of parliament in Bangkok yesterday to give an update on the case.

Mr Dershowitz's list of past clients includes high-profile figures such as OJ Simpson, Mike Tyson and Claus von Bulow. He said his main priority was to secure Mr Doody's freedom.

Mr Doody was born in Thailand and moved to the US after his mother married an American.

Nine people _ six Buddhist monks, a nun and two helpers _ were shot dead on Aug 10, 1991, all with bullet wounds to the head. Their bodies were found arranged in a circle at Wat Promkunaram in Phoenix.

Thongbai Thongpao, a human rights lawyer and Bangkok Post columnist who has campaigned on Mr Doody's behalf, said the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office first arrested and detained a group of four Tucson men.

They were later released and three filed charges of false arrest against authorities and demanded financial restitution.

Authorities then arrested Mr Doody, saying they could link him to the murder weapon.

After hours of non-stop questioning without the presence of a parent as was his right, the 17-year-old high school student admitted involvement in the case.

Mr Dershowitz said the confession obtained by authorities was forced.

"Mr Doody was separated from his parents during the many hours of interrogation, isolated so he would confess to a crime he had no connection to. And I hope the court will understand this," he said.

"He has been detained for almost 20 years, so the first step is to get him freed and then decide about compensation."

 

 

 

 

Doody case unlikely to affect temple

Buddhists forgiving of massacre, abbot says

• Published: 1/10/2010 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

The abbot of Wat Promkunaram, scene of the infamous Arizona massacre 19 years ago, believes the coming US Supreme Court ruling on Jonathan Doody will not stir up strong emotions among the temple's Buddhist adherents.

 

Phrakru Widesbrommakun: Followers have moved on

Mr Doody, a Thai-American, was convicted of gunning down nine people, including six monks, at the temple located to the west of Phoenix in 1991. He was sentenced to 281 years in prison for the murders. Mr Doody was 17 years old at the time of the killings.

A federal court of appeals overturned his conviction in 2008 on grounds that detectives in the case coerced a confession from him. Arizona state authorities have sent the case to the Supreme Court, which is set to rule on Monday.

If the US Supreme Court chooses not to hear Arizona's appeal, Mr Doody, now 36, will be set free. He has been in detention for 19 years.

Phrakru Widesbrommakun, the abbot of Wat Promkunaram, said yesterday the court decision would not make a difference to Buddhists in Arizona whichever way it goes.

He said Buddhist communities in the area had become philosophical about the tragedy. The abbot did not believe they would have any emotional response to the court ruling.

The people there had forgiven Mr Doody even though they would never forget what happened, the monk said.

"We have already moved on past it. Whether the court will accept the case is no longer our concern. Let the legal proceedings take their course, " the abbot said.

Phrakru Widesbrommakun said the killings occurred a long time ago. Few people would want to dig up and highlight any information on the issue.

The monk said the Buddhist community in Arizona was more interested in focusing on how to ensure that all Buddhists from different places lived together peacefully.

He said the temple would continue to hold a ceremony in August every year in remembrance of those killed in the massacre.

Phrakru Widesbrommakun, 51, has returned to Bangkok temporarily to pursue his studies at King Prajadhipok's Institute. He shuttles regularly between Bangkok and Arizona.

The monk was staying at a temple in Los Angeles when the murders took place at the temple in Phoenix. One day after the massacre, he was sent to stay at Wat Promkunaram. Six months later, he was appointed its abbot.

The monk played a key role in uncovering the truth behind the murder, alongside the police.

Mr Doody was born in Thailand and moved to the US after his mother married an American.

Nine people _ six Buddhist monks, a nun and two helpers _ were shot dead on Aug 10, 1991, all with bullet wounds to the head.

Their bodies were found arranged in a circle.