Yesterday, the 14-year-old suspect behind the brutal stabbing of a 16-year-old female student at a secondary school in Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya, was officially charged with murder in court.
According to a report, the suspect, whose identity cannot be revealed as he is underage, stood silently beside his parents and nodded in understanding after the charge was read to him in Mandarin.
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However, no plea was recorded, as murder cases fall under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
Image Credit: FMT
Meanwhile, a lawyer has stepped forward, claiming that the suspect is also a victim of the tragedy.
Kitson Foong, who attended the court proceedings as an amicus curiae (a friend of the court), said the court had granted an application by the suspect’s lawyer to allow the suspect to undergo psychiatric evaluation at Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta, Perak.
The evaluation will determine the suspect’s mental state at the time of the alleged offence.
“I know someone did lose their life, but in my view, given the accused's circumstances, he too is a victim.
As such, I hope experts can provide their opinions so that a more comprehensive understanding of the possible reasons behind the suspect's behavior can be revealed,” he said.
Despite being charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder, the suspect will not face the death penalty, even if convicted, under Section 97 of the Child Act 2001.
Instead, he will be sentenced to detention at the pleasure of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (YDPA), the Ruler, or the Yang di-Pertuan Negeri, depending on where the crime was committed.
The length of his detention is subject to yearly review for potential release by the Ruler or the YDPA.
The court has set November 21 for the submission of forensic and pathology reports.
Image Credit: Newswav
Previously, on October 14, the suspect allegedly stabbed and killed a female schoolmate, Yap Shing Xuen, in the school’s female toilet. While some reports claimed the motive was unrequited love, others stated that the suspect and victim had never interacted and did not know each other.
Featured Image Credit: FMT, Berita Harian
