Local News in Brief : Thai Sentenced in Slaying
A native of Thailand was sentenced Thursday to 29 years to life in state prison for killing a Laotian who insulted him by putting his foot on a table while the defendant sang at a restaurant.
In Thai culture, the victim’s behavior is considered “a very serious insult,” Deputy Dist. Atty. David Dahle said.
Pongsak Trakulrat was convicted in Los Angeles Superior Court in February of second-degree murder for shooting to death Korakanh Piousourinha. He was also convicted of attempted murder and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon for shooting at three friends of Piousourinha.
The shooting occurred in March, 1985, when Piousourinha put his foot up on a table while Trakulrat was singing at an amateur night program at the Thai Town restaurant on Melrose Avenue. Several hours later, Trakulrat followed Piousourinha and three fellow Laotians outside, then shot at them with a handgun.
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