Prison time has taken a toll on Nhim Sophea, the nephew of Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has reportedly lost 3 kg in weight while awaiting trial over his alleged role in the killing of three people following a car smash and shooting in October.
Lawyer Dy Borima said on Wednesday that Nhim Sophea, 22, was sick and had shed weight while investigations continue into an Oct 27 incident, in which the suspect and friends crashed a car that killed one man and then one of the group allegedly shot dead two onlookers with an AK-47. Several others were injured.
“My client is seriously affected by a liver disease and a stomach ulcer,” Dy Borima said.
Though a trial date has not been set, Dy Borima said a “remarkable development” had occurred in the investigation as many more witnesses have been found. “We have found many witnesses that can prove that Nhim Sophea did not shoot the gun,” he said.
Nhim Sophea appeared briefly in court on two occasions in January but both hearings were adjourned: On the first occasion because the defendant felt ill, and on the second, to allow the court to collect more evidence.
Nhim Sophea was arrested by police in November for “intentional killing” but when he appeared in court on Jan 14, the charge had been reduced to involuntary manslaughter.
Som Doeun, 24, a suspect who is allegedly still at large was charged with voluntary manslaughter related to the incident.
Adjourning Nhim Sophea’s trial, presiding Judge Tan Senarong, prosecutor Siem Sok Oun and Dy Borima were in agreement that more evidence was needed.
There were no lawyers in court to represent those injured and killed in the incident.
Kim Sarin, director of Prey Sar prison, on Wednesday said Nhim Sophea has daily visits from the doctor. “The doctor checks him every day and he can call the doctor back when he needs,” Kim Sarin said.
