Canadian citizen Leo Del Pinto was murdered in Pai, Thailand on Sunday January 6, 2008 by an off-duty, plain clothes police officer. He was shot once in the face and once in the chest and his travel companion, Carly Reisig, was shot once in the chest but survived the incident and is recovering in a Thai hospital. The off-duty officer claims his gun went off “accidentally” after a scuffle with the couple and was released on bail less than 24 hours after turning himself in to local authorities. Thai authorities have not been cooperative in providing answers during their investigation and all signs point to the individual who shot Leo being allowed to walk free without reprimand.
The Del Pinto family is seeking grassroots community support in assisting Government agencies in their active role in the investigation, and ensuring the Thai Government prosecutes the individual responsible for Leo Del Pinto’s senseless murder.
Leo Del Pinto was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta. The Del Pinto Family has resided in Calgary for more than 50 years and numerous family members have dedicated their lives to working for the City of Calgary. Leo arrived in Thailand on January 3, 2008 and intended to do more travelling in the region, but also had aspirations to teach English as a second language and start his own small business. He was expected to return to Calgary in August 2008 to participate in his sister Melissa’s wedding as a groomsman. He is survived by his parents Ernie and Clara and his older twin sisters Melissa and Michele.
All funds received on behalf of Justice for Leo, will be used by the Del Pinto family to ensure that a full and proper investigation of the murder of Leo is completed and to assist in the prosecution of the Accused. All excess funds will be donated to Calgary charities.
Leo Del Pinto (left) with one of his many Thai friends during his first
trip to Thailand in 2007
Update - April 30, 2008
The Del Pinto family is pleased to announce that the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), a Thai federal agency, has officially been appointed to conduct an independent investigation into the January 6th shooting which claimed the life of Calgarian Leo Del Pinto and severely injured British Columbia native Carly Reisig. In addition, the National Committee on Counter Corruption (NCCC) have also completed an investigation into the incident, and strongly support the prosecution of this matter. While news of the DSI and NCCC involvement are reassuring to the Del Pinto family in their search for justice, it is of great concern that the accused is walking free after being charged with one count of murder with intent and one count of attempted murder.
The Del Pinto family commends the hard work of the Canadian Consular Affairs Bureau and their Case Management Officer, for providing important and timely updates as well as maintaining an open line of communication with Thai government. However, the Del Pinto family is disappointed that a case that has garnered a great deal of international media attention involving a Canadian citizen has not warranted any communication from Prime Minister Stephen Harper. All levels and ranks of our government from municipal to federal have responded with an outpouring of support and condolences for the family, but not so much as a card or email has been sent from the Prime Minister’s office. The Del Pinto family is requesting a meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss what further actions our federal government will take to adequately inform Canadians of the danger in traveling to high risk countries and the desperate need for the government to change the process of dealing with major crimes against Canadian citizens abroad.
Update - June 9, 2008
The Del Pinto family has received an update from Canadian Foreign Affairs indicating the Thai Department of Special Investigation (DSI), has requested the involvement of the Human Rights Commission to assist with the final week of the investigation. The Del Pinto family has been told a trial date will be provided after June 15th.
Update - September 8, 2008
On September 8th, 2008 the Del Pinto family had a meeting with Mr. David Sproule, Canadian Ambassador to Thailand. This meeting was very supportive and the Del Pinto family were given the Canadian Government's commitment to the full investigation and prosecution in this matter.
Update - October 15, 2008
On October 15th, 2008 the accused police officer was summoned by the DSI and has been detained pending request for bail. The charging document was accepted by the court, and the charges are presently before the court and the accused's plea is anticipated in the near future. We await the next court date.
Update - February 23, 2009
Reported on January 29th, Pai Police were working on completing their step of the investigation required by the DSI. The DSI scheduled a trip to Mae Hong Son for the week of February 9th in order to address and request Mae Hong Son Provincial Court to schedule a court hearing for this process.
On January 27th, the Canadian Ambassador in Bangkok met with the Thai Minister of Justice to confirm that the Pai police were working on completing the required step. The Minister was clearly aware of the case and pledged to follow up on this file.
The DSI has received a request from the Royal Thai Police, Foreign Affairs Division (high level entity), requesting an update on the file.
Update - July 2, 2010
Over the past 16 months the pre-trial motions continue in Mae Hong Son Provincial Court. The pre-trial motions are similar to Preliminary Inquiries in the Canadian Judicial system. The pre-trial process involves the prosecution calling all of the essential witnesses to the homicide for the Court’s review and recommendation for prosecution.
The process has been delayed numerous times due to Court’s availability and difficulty with witnesses being subpoenaed. The next date for the pre-trial hearing is scheduled for July 8, 2010 in Mae Hong Son Provincial Court. It is anticipated that a further court date will be required to conclude the pre-trial process at which point it is anticipated that the case will be transferred to Bangkok for prosecution. The Del Pinto family has been assured numerous times by DSI that the evidence supports this case proceeding to prosecution.
The pre-trial process has been flawed with incompetence or an unwilling Thailand Judicial system to comply with their own jurisprudence. The Del Pinto family remains steadfast and is in constant communication with Canadian Foreign Affairs.
The Del Pinto family feels frustrated due to the flawed judicial system in Thailand and the unfortunate lack of support from our Canadian government. The Del Pinto family has recently been informed that although Canada has an embassy in Thailand all translation from the pre-trial hearings and even all communication with the prosecution will have to be paid for by the family. It is very disappointing that out Canadian government will not provide interpretation services to a family in their time of need. A further update will be posted at the conclusion of the pre-trial hearing.