Knives, school bag among key exhibits tendered in murder trial

 

Three knives recovered from the scene of the Bandar Utama secondary school fatal stabbing were among exhibits tendered at the High Court today as the senior investigating officer began testifying in the murder trial of a 15-year-old boy. NSTP FILE PIC

SHAH ALAM: Three knives recovered from the scene of the Bandar Utama secondary school fatal stabbing were among exhibits tendered at the High Court today as the senior investigating officer began testifying in the murder trial of a 15-year-old boy.

Assistant Superintendent Ahmad Zarrin Ab Rashid from the Petaling Jaya district police headquarters Criminal Investigation Department also tendered items seized from the boy's house after the incident last year.

The exhibits included the boy's school bag, books and handwritten notes, said the boy's lawyer Kitson Foong after proceedings.

Foong said Zarrin's examination-in-chief focused on the collection of evidence and the chain of custody throughout the investigation.

"He collected items from various parties, including policemen who recovered the knives at the scene.

"After receiving the exhibits, he sent them to the Chemistry Department for analysis to determine whether there were traces of blood and DNA," he said.

Foong said the items seized from the scene and the boy's home were important in establishing what happened on the day of the incident.

He added that Zarrin's testimony would continue on Monday, when the defence is expected to cross-examine him.

The boy's elder brother also testified today as a child witness. His identity and evidence are protected under the Evidence of Child Witness Act 2007.

The trial before judge Adlin Abdul Majid is being held in camera and resumes on Monday.

The boy is accused of murdering his Form Four schoolmate in the girls' toilet at SMK Bandar Utama Damansara (4), Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya, between 9.20am and 9.35am on Oct 14 last year.

The charge carries the death penalty or imprisonment of between 30 and 40 years, with 12 strokes of the rotan upon conviction. However, the death penalty cannot be imposed on a child under Section 97(1) of the Child Act 2001.

A three-month psychiatric assessment by Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta director Dr Ian Lloyd Anthony concluded that the boy was fit to stand trial. - NST