The retrial of three men and a woman sentenced to life in prison for robbing and murdering a 19-year-old man last year began yesterday at Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

After the Appeal Court ordered the reinvestigation of their case, Touch Sothea, 21, Chhuoy Mong, 20; Im Chamroeun, 22, and Vann Ching, 19, are again standing trial for the teen’s murder, the theft of his motorbike and the beating of his girlfriend in the capital’s Por Sen Chey district last January.

The two victims were sitting on a motorbike in a rice field in the evening when the four accused allegedly beat both victims, presiding judge Kor Vandy said.

“They beat the two victims, killing the boy and seriously wounding the woman. After robbing the two victims, they successfully escaped,” he said.

The accused were arrested on February 9, sentenced to life imprisonment and each fined 40 million riel [almost $10,000].

During the trial yesterday, all four victims denied any involvement in the crime and asked the court to drop the charges.

The verdict is slated to be delivered on September 30.