Phuket Tourist Shooting Aussies Get Bail

[webfact]

Phuket tourist shooting Aussies get bail
Tanyaluk Sakoot

In handcuffs, John Cohen is questioned after his arrest. Photo Golf Thairath

PHUKET: -- The two Australians arrested on January 24 after one fired a pistol in Soi Sansabai, hitting two tourists, have been released on bail, The Phuket News has learned.

John Edward Cohen, 33, and Adam Lewis Shea, 26, were denied bail by Kathu police after their arrest, but with the case now in the court process, they were freed about 15 days ago after the Phuket Provincial Court accepted guarantees totalling B5 million for the two men.

It is alleged that the two were trying to kill a Danish man who had ripped them off on a deal involving a motorcycle. Seeing the Dane riding by, Cohen opened fire, missed and hit the tourists instead.

Cohen is to be tried for attempted murder and Shea for conspiracy.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-tourist-shooting-aussies-get-bail-38911.php


-- Phuket News 2013-04-24

[inthefareast]

These two guys are complete idiots, however how much has the Red Bull kid have to pay for killing a ranking police office with his car??? Oh that's right he's still in his mansion never spending one day in jail or hasn't paid any fine outside of tr compensation to the family. Can you say double standard for foreigners?? How much of that 5million went into the pockets of polices pockets is a good question probably all of it.

[eezergood]

Was it 5 million? or was that what was offered & another figure paid?

[KBAA]

And now are they back home in Australia !!

[transam]

These two guys are complete idiots, however how much has the Red Bull kid have to pay for killing a ranking police office with his car??? Oh that's right he's still in his mansion never spending one day in jail or hasn't paid any fine outside of tr compensation to the family. Can you say double standard for foreigners?? How much of that 5million went into the pockets of polices pockets is a good question probably all of it.

Sorry but isn't THIS case premeditated and the other a dick head in a fast car. ?

[thelongshoot]

Look, ive gotta say - and I know most of you will scorn me for this - I think fair play to the bloke. If some idiot borrowed 380K from me and didnt pay it back, whilst continuing to live the good life in paradise, I would be happy to take simmilar action.

Of course I wouldnt because I am not that stupid and I dont have the balls anyway. But putting a couple of slugs in a blokes legs for taking you for a mug... why not?

Its obviously a shame that the the two tourists got hit though.

Just my opinion. Please just leave me alone for saying so, ok?

[transam]

Look, ive gotta say - and I know most of you will scorn me for this - I think fair play to the bloke. If some idiot borrowed 380K from me and didnt pay it back, whilst continuing to live the good life in paradise, I would be happy to take simmilar action.

Of course I wouldnt because I am not that stupid and I dont have the balls anyway. But putting a couple of slugs in a blokes legs for taking you for a mug... why not?

Its obviously a shame that the the two tourists got hit though.

Just my opinion. Please just leave me alone for saying so, ok?

Before anyone goes into the business of lending dosh the lender must accept risks. Thats business, if the guy was collecting then you think the use of firearms in a crowded place is OK and part of this particular business. .

[Judo Chop]

I know it's selfish to lump it on others but I wish more of these d1ckheads types would leave Australian shores only to wind up in a shithole prison.

Well that, plus the fact that it would be nice to see a few present day stories in the Banged Up Abroad episodes.

[Greer]

Sorry - these two do deserve what they get - I am as shocked as anyone that they were even allowed bail, as they are naturally a flight risk I would have thought, and also "attempted murder" (and I would have thought a GBH charge as well) is not exactly minor.

I would also doubt that they have the required permits to carry a gun - although that is a much less serious issue, but still one that indicates their state of mind - surely it is illegal for foreigners to carry guns, no matter what?

These guys are definitely coming across as scumbags - I am ashamed that they are Australian - I hope REAL justice is actually applied, and not the pathetic weak-kneed version that infests the western countries either!

Edited April 24, 2013 by Greer

[HarryMilton]

These two guys are complete idiots, however how much has the Red Bull kid have to pay for killing a ranking police office with his car??? Oh that's right he's still in his mansion never spending one day in jail or hasn't paid any fine outside of tr compensation to the family. Can you say double standard for foreigners?? How much of that 5million went into the pockets of polices pockets is a good question probably all of it.

Off topic, I know, but how can you expect the Red Bull man (he's not a child) to have paid a fine or been imprisoned when the case hasn't been heard in court yet? And, yes, it is going to be heard.

How much of that money went into police pockets is not a good question, it is an extremely ignorant question. That figure was set by the court, paid to the court and is a bail amount put up by, or on behalf of, the accused, not a payment for freedom. Assuming they don't abscond, the bail will eventually be paid back to whoever paid it originally.

[HarryMilton]

Look, ive gotta say - and I know most of you will scorn me for this - I think fair play to the bloke. If some idiot borrowed 380K from me and didnt pay it back, whilst continuing to live the good life in paradise, I would be happy to take simmilar action.

Of course I wouldnt because I am not that stupid and I dont have the balls anyway. But putting a couple of slugs in a blokes legs for taking you for a mug... why not?

Its obviously a shame that the the two tourists got hit though.

Just my opinion. Please just leave me alone for saying so, ok?

He didn't put any "slugs" in anyone except the tourists.

[Pimay1]

Look, ive gotta say - and I know most of you will scorn me for this - I think fair play to the bloke. If some idiot borrowed 380K from me and didnt pay it back, whilst continuing to live the good life in paradise, I would be happy to take simmilar action.

Of course I wouldnt because I am not that stupid and I dont have the balls anyway. But putting a couple of slugs in a blokes legs for taking you for a mug... why not?

Its obviously a shame that the the two tourists got hit though.

Just my opinion. Please just leave me alone for saying so, ok?

There are times when the use of a weapon is necessary but this was not one of them.

[jocko]

Look, ive gotta say - and I know most of you will scorn me for this - I think fair play to the bloke. If some idiot borrowed 380K from me and didnt pay it back, whilst continuing to live the good life in paradise, I would be happy to take simmilar action.

Of course I wouldnt because I am not that stupid and I dont have the balls anyway. But putting a couple of slugs in a blokes legs for taking you for a mug... why not?

Its obviously a shame that the the two tourists got hit though.

Just my opinion. Please just leave me alone for saying so, ok?

There are times when the use of a weapon is necessary but this was not one of them.

Have you seen the size of these guys the weapon's on the ends of there arms would have done the trick.

[stevenl]

Look, ive gotta say - and I know most of you will scorn me for this - I think fair play to the bloke. If some idiot borrowed 380K from me and didnt pay it back, whilst continuing to live the good life in paradise, I would be happy to take simmilar action.

Of course I wouldnt because I am not that stupid and I dont have the balls anyway. But putting a couple of slugs in a blokes legs for taking you for a mug... why not?

Its obviously a shame that the the two tourists got hit though.

Just my opinion. Please just leave me alone for saying so, ok?

There are times when the use of a weapon is necessary but this was not one of them.

Have you seen the size of these guys the weapon's on the ends of there arms would have done the trick.

He did say they should not have used a weapon.

[Globeman]

These two guys are complete idiots, however how much has the Red Bull kid have to pay for killing a ranking police office with his car??? Oh that's right he's still in his mansion never spending one day in jail or hasn't paid any fine outside of tr compensation to the family. Can you say double standard for foreigners?? How much of that 5million went into the pockets of polices pockets is a good question probably all of it.

It's not double standard for foreigners... it is impunity for extremely wealthy well-connected Thais... a normal Thai schmo wouldn't even get bail - and these a**holes shouldn't have either.

[muratremix]

Will there be an investigation in Australia once they return? Aussies should not allow bad deed goes unpunished.

[LivinginKata]

A number of inflammatory or off topic posts removed.

[lemoncake]

These two guys are complete idiots, however how much has the Red Bull kid have to pay for killing a ranking police office with his car??? Oh that's right he's still in his mansion never spending one day in jail or hasn't paid any fine outside of tr compensation to the family. Can you say double standard for foreigners?? How much of that 5million went into the pockets of polices pockets is a good question probably all of it.

Court bail does not go into the pockets of police.

Any money going into the pockets do not get declared publicly and not called bail.

[theajarn]

But of course.

[lemoncake]

Look, ive gotta say - and I know most of you will scorn me for this - I think fair play to the bloke. If some idiot borrowed 380K from me and didnt pay it back, whilst continuing to live the good life in paradise, I would be happy to take simmilar action.

Of course I wouldnt because I am not that stupid and I dont have the balls anyway. But putting a couple of slugs in a blokes legs for taking you for a mug... why not?

Its obviously a shame that the the two tourists got hit though.

Just my opinion. Please just leave me alone for saying so, ok?

So how would killing him give you back the money?

I guess that is why there are money collectors who make money and money collectors who loose and end up in jail

[Mudcrab]

Look, ive gotta say - and I know most of you will scorn me for this - I think fair play to the bloke. If some idiot borrowed 380K from me and didnt pay it back, whilst continuing to live the good life in paradise, I would be happy to take simmilar action.

Of course I wouldnt because I am not that stupid and I dont have the balls anyway. But putting a couple of slugs in a blokes legs for taking you for a mug... why not?

Its obviously a shame that the the two tourists got hit though.

Just my opinion. Please just leave me alone for saying so, ok?

Come on mate...please...we don't run around shooting people in Australia over what...12 grand?? If someone did he should be locked up for a very long time. We don't do it here and we shouldn't export that thinking anywhere else regardless of the local customs of shooting first and asking for the money later. there are many better civilised ways of settling debts...a broken leg usually does the trick.

[upena]

15 days ago and only now we are told?

[bangkokpoppys]

HeavyDrinker, your comments please!

[lemoncake]

Look, ive gotta say - and I know most of you will scorn me for this - I think fair play to the bloke. If some idiot borrowed 380K from me and didnt pay it back, whilst continuing to live the good life in paradise, I would be happy to take simmilar action.

Of course I wouldnt because I am not that stupid and I dont have the balls anyway. But putting a couple of slugs in a blokes legs for taking you for a mug... why not?

Its obviously a shame that the the two tourists got hit though.

Just my opinion. Please just leave me alone for saying so, ok?

Come on mate...please...we don't run around shooting people in Australia over what...12 grand?? If someone did he should be locked up for a very long time. We don't do it here and we shouldn't export that thinking anywhere else regardless of the local customs of shooting first and asking for the money later. there are many better civilised ways of settling debts...a broken leg usually does the trick.

I guess you do not come from the main city

[whorouly]

Morons like these two make me ashamed to be Australian.

[lemoncake]

Morons like these two make me ashamed to be Australian.

Why? Because Australians never do anything stupid?

[TradeMark]

These guys are 2 of the nicest gents you will ever meet! Swing by one of the Johnny tattoo spots and see for yourself... Also the misleading stories in the press are so far from the actual situation it's scary, I think they make stuff up on the spot to make the story flow, for those of you who don't know:

The prick they were after is wanted in his home country on fraud charges, scammed numerous hotels and businesses in Thailand and was out on bail in Thailand when this whole situation happened!
The guy they were after had basically stolen one of their rental scooters (after renting, not paying and thereafter not returning and hiding). It was not a big bike or a loan as the various media states.

The Aussies had "reported" this to the cops who had told them they should handle it with the prick. The cops had said he was on bail on a current charge and that he had a bail check appearance on X date.

The Aussies went to the court and the prick didn't show up to sign his bail check report and they were left in the same situation they started in. This guy was not only running from them but wasn't checking in with the courthouse in Phuket.

These guys did not walk out in a premeditated fashion to shoot this guy, they are always strapped/carrying so nothing was different on this day when looking for the prick. These guys are MC members and decent guys but you're taking the piss with any business owner especially these ones if you pull a stunt like this. To add insult to injury no one was helping them sort it out "correctly" so they took matters into their own hands and the rest is history. They missed because the guy was on the stolen scooter when they fired at him not 2feet away and having a convo with them as media states. They were looking for him and the prick scoots straight past them on the "stolen" bike.

Impulse reaction? Whip out my gun and have a shot? A bit drastic to anyone following the story... Even crazier when friends of the gunman heard this because he is the most placid and relaxed guy you can ever meet. Stories of people hitting on his girlfriend and him buying them a drink for the compliment type of guy.

That bail money is not bribe money it's all fully legal negotiated by their lawyers, set by the court and paid to the court. With the court system in Thailand they are now awaiting full submission of evidence by the police, after that the initial hearing, court hearing and sentencing thereafter... A process that can take up to and over 2 years especially with a not guilty plea.

Know the facts before commenting. You or me might not have whipped out a gun but if an obvious ***** was trying to add me to his list of victims I would have been on the same rampant mission as these Aussies went on to sort it out!

They are the good guys in the situation and they are genuinely sorry for the innocent bystanders and regret their actions. They have conveyed this feeling to the bystanders who are back in their home country and have no intentions of coming to thailand to aid in any part of the proceedings.

Don't go and bash these guys on open forum they have families and they were the good guys and acted stupidly in a fit of rage which they are obviously paying for...

[Briandajew]

I guess they knew they were not getting their cash back or even the bike, so probably the next best thing was a bit of SATISFACTION and a bit of RETRIBUTION! - It all depends upon your outlook. Not saying it right or wrong, but in a way, I can understand the motive. However, the fact that the two retards managed to shoot totally innocent retards, then the police should lock them up with something like attempted manslaughter or willful endangerment of life ( Charges that could be brought against most Thais driving on any road on any given day)

[cdmtdm]

its so easy to sit back and condemn people you dont know , John Cohen was a customer of mine and in my opinion could only be described as a nice , polite guy, always laid back and had time for everyone .... now before u get excited and crucify the guy because he has Tatts and looks a little rough ... i urge anyone who has a bad word about him to speak up !!... what happened was a set of events that should never have happened , he admits that things got out of control , he is extremely remorseful ... he is not Australian scum , far from it in fact ... it shows you how quickly your life can change when the wrong decision is made in the heat of the moment .... let him pay for his poor judgement and then get on with his life ....

[Mudcrab]

Look, ive gotta say - and I know most of you will scorn me for this - I think fair play to the bloke. If some idiot borrowed 380K from me and didnt pay it back, whilst continuing to live the good life in paradise, I would be happy to take simmilar action.

Of course I wouldnt because I am not that stupid and I dont have the balls anyway. But putting a couple of slugs in a blokes legs for taking you for a mug... why not?

Its obviously a shame that the the two tourists got hit though.

Just my opinion. Please just leave me alone for saying so, ok?

Come on mate...please...we don't run around shooting people in Australia over what...12 grand?? If someone did he should be locked up for a very long time. We don't do it here and we shouldn't export that thinking anywhere else regardless of the local customs of shooting first and asking for the money later. there are many better civilised ways of settling debts...a broken leg usually does the trick.

I guess you do not come from the main city

Not sure what you mean by the main City...but you're right I don't ...thankfully