Latest news with #deathsentence
Free Malaysia Today
07-07-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Appellate court acquits man of disabled stepsister-in-law's murder
The three-member panel of the Court of Appeal said it found the conviction of Johari Ng Abdullah by the High Court to be unsafe. PETALING JAYA : A senior citizen was acquitted and discharged by the Court of Appeal today, which set aside his conviction and death sentence for the murder of his disabled stepsister-in-law six years ago. A three-member panel, comprising Justices Hashim Hamzah, Zaini Mazlan and Noorin Badaruddin, unanimously allowed Johari Ng Abdullah's appeal against the High Court's decision delivered in January last year. Hashim held that the circumstantial evidence adduced during the trial was insufficient to sustain a conviction. 'Therefore, we find the conviction to be unsafe. As such, the conviction and sentence are set aside, and the appellant's appeal is allowed,' Bernama reported him as saying. Johari, 66, a former security guard, had initially been sentenced to death by the High Court for the murder of Nor Izzati Ghazali, 26, who had dwarfism. He had been charged with committing the offence at a unit at Villa Apartment on Jalan Temenggong 19, off Jalan Sungai Jati in Klang, Selangor, at 2pm on Feb 19, 2019. In today's proceedings, Johari's counsel, Hafizuddin Salehuddin, argued that the trial judge had erred in failing to consider the reasonable possibility of another individual, namely, the deceased's stepsister, being involved in the commission of the offence. 'There is no irresistible conclusion that the appellant was the one who caused the death of the deceased. We respectfully request the court to acquit and discharge him,' said Hafizuddin, who was assisted by Hilmi Zawawi. Deputy public prosecutor Faizal @ Amrin Noor Hadi asserted that the trial judge had not erred in his findings, and urged the court to uphold the conviction and sentence. According to the facts of the case, a neighbour said in a police report that the deceased had previously complained to him and his wife about being physically assaulted and abused by Johari. A post-mortem examination revealed 24 clusters of injuries distributed across the deceased's body.
Malay Mail
07-07-2025
- Malay Mail
Appeals court acquits man, 66, of murdering disabled stepsister-in-law
PUTRAJAYA, July 7 — A senior citizen was acquitted and discharged by the Court of Appeal today, setting aside his conviction and death sentence for the murder of his disabled stepsister-in-law six years ago. The three-member panel, comprising Justices Datuk Hashim Hamzah, Datuk Mohamed Zaini Mazlan and Datuk Noorin Badaruddin, unanimously allowed Muhammad Johari Ng Abdullah's appeal against the High Court's decision delivered in January last year. Delivering the court's decision, Justice Hashim held that the circumstantial evidence adduced at trial was insufficient to sustain a conviction. 'Therefore, we find the conviction to be unsafe. As such, the conviction and sentence are set aside, and the appellant's (Muhammad Johari's) appeal is allowed,' he said. Following the decision, Muhammad Johari, 66, expressed his gratitude to the panel of judges. Muhammad Johari, a former security guard, was initially sentenced to death by the High Court for the murder of 26-year-old Nor Izzati Ghazali, who had dwarfism. The offence was alleged to have taken place at an apartment in Villa Apartment, Jalan Temenggong 19, Off Jalan Sungai Jati, Klang, Selangor, at 2 pm on Feb 19, 2019. During today's proceedings, Muhammad Johari's counsel, Hafizuddin Salehuddin, argued that the trial judge had erred in failing to consider the reasonable possibility of another individual, namely, the deceased's stepsister, being involved in the commission of the offence. 'There is no irresistible conclusion that the appellant was the one who caused the death of the deceased. We respectfully request the court to acquit and discharge him,' said Hafizuddin, who was assisted by Hilmi Zawawi. Deputy public prosecutor Faizal @ Amrin Noor Hadi, however, asserted that the trial judge had not erred in his findings and urged the Court of Appeal to uphold the conviction and sentence. According to the case facts, a neighbour stated in a police report that the deceased had previously complained to him and his wife about being physically assaulted and abused by the appellant. A post-mortem examination revealed 24 clusters of injuries distributed across the deceased's entire body. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
01-07-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Court upholds death sentence for ex-military doctor in Kevin Morais murder case
The body of deputy public prosecutor Kevin Morais was found in a concrete-filled drum in Persiaran Subang Mewah, Subang Jaya, on Sept 16, 2015. (File pic) PUTRAJAYA : The Federal Court has upheld the death sentence imposed on former military doctor R Kunaseegaran over the murder of deputy public prosecutor Kevin Morais eight years ago. Two others – S Nimalan, 32; and S Ravi Chandran, 54 – were sentenced to 35 years and 40 years in prison, respectively. Nimalan was also ordered to receive 12 strokes of the rotan, while Ravi Chandran was spared caning due to his age. Chief Justice Tengku Maimum Tuan Mat, who led a three-member panel, said Kunaseegaran's death sentence remained as he had withdrawn his appeal against the sentence. The court acquitted three others – R Dinishwaran, 33; AK Thinesh Kumar, 32; and M Vishwanath – after ruling that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against them. Justice Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, who delivered the broad grounds of judgment, said the prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence to convict Kunaseegaran, Nimalan and Ravi Chandran. 'On the totality of evidence, we find it was credible and compelling. 'We considered the defence of the three and they have not created doubt in the prosecution's case,' said Abang Iskandar, who is also the Court of Appeal president. The other judge on the bench was Justice Rhodzariah Bujang. Abang Iskandar said Dinishwaran, Thinesh Kumar and Vishwanath should have been acquitted without being ordered to enter their defence. 'We allow their appeals and hereby set aside their conviction for murder,' he added. Lawyer N Sivananthan, representing Kunaseegaran, informed the court that his client had instructed him to withdraw his appeal against the death penalty imposed by the High Court and affirmed by the Court of Appeal. Lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad, representing Nimalan, and counsel Kitson Foong, appearing for Ravi Chandran, mitigated a jail term given the court's discretionary power following amendments to the penal laws two years ago. 'My client was 22 years old at the time of the incident. He deserves a second chance to turn over a new leaf,' Amer said in the courtroom. Foong conceded that the murder of Morais was gruesome, but pleaded for a jail term of between 30 and 40 years. Deputy public prosecutor Fairuz Johari, however, pressed for the death sentence to be maintained as the crime had been committed on a civil servant. 'The body was in a drum filled with cement to be disposed of,' he said, adding that the crime of abducting the deceased was committed in broad daylight. Other defence lawyers present were Y Sheelan Samuagan for Dinishwaran, Burhanudeen Abdul Wahid for Thinesh Kumar, and Afifuddin Ahmad Hafifi for Vishwanath. Deputy public prosecutors Fuad Abdul Aziz and Yusaini Abdul Karim also appeared for the prosecution. The High Court sentenced all of the accused to death on July 10, 2020, after finding them guilty of murdering Morais on Sept 4, 2015, somewhere between Sentul, Kuala Lumpur, and Subang Jaya in Selangor. Morais, 55, was reported missing on Sept 4, 2015, and was last seen leaving his apartment at Menara Duta in Kuala Lumpur in his official car. His body was found in an oil drum filled with cement in Subang Jaya 12 days later. The prosecution contends that some of the accused in a car staged an accident with the vehicle driven by Morais to abduct him as he was leaving his home.
Malay Mail
01-07-2025
- Malay Mail
Federal Court upholds death penalty for ex-colonel, commutes sentences of two in Kevin Morais case
PUTRAJAYA, July 1 — The Federal Court today upheld the death sentence imposed on a former pathologist colonel for the murder of Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Anthony Kevin Morais in 2015. A three-man bench led by Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat affirmed the murder conviction of Colonel Dr R. Kunaseegaran, 62, S. Nimalan, 31 and S. Ravi Chandran, 53. However, both Nimalan and Ravi Chandran were spared the gallows after the court commuted the death sentences imposed on them by the High Court to life imprisonment. Nimalan was sentenced to 35 years in prison with 12 strokes of the cane, while Ravi Chandran was sentenced to 40 years in jail. The court did not impose whipping on Ravi Chandran as he is above 50 years of age. Justice Tengku Maimun said Kunaseegaran's death sentence remained as he had withdrawn his appeal against the sentence. Meanwhile, the panel, also comprising Court of Appeal President Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim and Federal Court judge Datuk Rhodzariah Bujang, discharged and acquitted the other three individuals, namely R. Dinishwaran, 32, A.K. Thinesh Kumar, 31, and M. Vishwanath, 34, for the murder. On July 10, 2020, the six men were sentenced to death after they were found guilty of killing Morais, 55, somewhere along Jalan Dutamas Raya Sentul and No. 1, Jalan USJ 1/6D, Subang Jaya, between 7 am and 8 pm on Sept 4, 2015. The Court of Appeal dismissed their appeals on March 14 last year. Morais, who was reported missing on Sept 4, 2015, was last seen leaving his apartment at Menara Duta, Kuala Lumpur, in a Proton Perdana. His body was found in a cement-filled oil drum at Persiaran Subang Mewah, Subang Jaya, on Sept 16 the same year. — Bernama
BBC News
26-06-2025
- BBC News
Court sentence Timileyin Ajayi to death by hanging for killing Salome Adaidu
Di High Court for Lafia, Nasarawa State, don sentence Oluwatimileyin Ajayi to death by hanging for di death of National Youth Service Corp member Salome Adaidu. Justice Simon Aboki wey preside ova di case sentence di suspect on Thursday. Di judgment find Oluwatemileyin Ajayi guilty of killing and dismembering (cutting to piece) di late Salome Adaidu. Dem bin charge Ajayi wit one count of culpable homicide contrary to Section 221 of di Penal Code of Northern Nigeria wey dey punishable by death. Di late Salome mama bin tell BBC Pidgin say 'Salome na my husband since my husband die, I want justice for my daughter' Di suspect Timileyin Ajayi bin plead not guilty for court wen di hearing bin start. We still dey update dis tori.
