Simon Peter Carman, 45, appeared in a Thai court on Friday to face charges related to the death of a 17-year-old girl. Authorities discovered the victim’s body inside a suitcase located near railway tracks in the seaside city of Pattaya. Carman was apprehended by police at a Bangkok airport in June while attempting to board a flight back to Australia, shortly after the victim’s friend had reported her missing.

During the court proceedings, Carman entered a plea of not guilty. His legal defense is centered on the claim of self-defense. While the SCMP report notes that police have stated the cause of death, the specific medical findings regarding the nature of the injuries were not fully detailed in the available summary. The case has drawn attention due to the circumstances of the discovery and the defendant's attempt to leave the country before his arrest. The trial is expected to continue as the court evaluates the evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defense regarding the events leading up to the teenager's death.