Court acquits teen of Bandar Utama schoolgirl murder charge on insanity grounds

 

The High Court today acquitted and discharged a 15-year-old boy of the charge of murdering a female student at a secondary school in Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, last year after finding that he was of unsound mind at the time of the incident.

Judge Adlin Abdul Majid also ordered the teenager to be detained at Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta, Perak, from today for a period to be approved by the sultan of Selangor.

The teenager’s lawyer, Kitson Foong, said the court found that his client was of unsound mind at the time of the incident, resulting in a finding of legal insanity under Section 84 of the Penal Code.

“The respondent was found to be of unsound mind at the hour, date, and time of the incident in October (2025). Accordingly, the defence successfully raised Section 84 of the Penal Code. The court recorded an acquittal on the ground of insanity,” he told reporters outside the court after proceedings.

Foong said the court accepted the testimony of Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Ian Lloyd Anthony, who confirmed that the teenager was suffering from severe and aggressive schizophrenia.

“The schizophrenia caused him to lose his sense of self. He believed he was a god. He said he heard voices and instructions from someone. The prosecution did not dispute this,” he said.

Foong said the teenager would now undergo treatment for the disorder, adding that his recovery would take time.

He said the judge had reminded the teenager to recognise that his actions had resulted in the loss of a life and to be grateful for the second chance he had been given.

During the trial, the prosecution called 11 witnesses, while the defence called two, including the teenager himself.

Not guilty plea

The teenager was accused of murdering his schoolmate in a female students’ toilet at a national secondary school in Bandar Utama between 9.20am and 9.35am on Oct 14, 2025.

He was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which provides for the death penalty or imprisonment of between 30 and 40 years, with up to 12 strokes of the cane if the death penalty is not imposed.

However, Section 97(1) of the Child Act 2001 prohibits the death penalty from being imposed on anyone under 18.

Instead, under Section 97(2), the court may order the person to be detained for a period approved by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the ruler, or Yang di-Pertua Negeri.

Deputy public prosecutors Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin, Aqharie Durranie Aziz, and Ahmad Iqbal Azman appeared for the prosecution.

As the teenager is a minor, his identity and photograph cannot be disclosed. The proceedings were conducted in closed court.

On Feb 12, 2026, the teenager pleaded not guilty after the charge was read to him again in Mandarin before Adlin. - Mkini