PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal today upheld the death sentence of an unemployed man who was convicted of killing his father by cutting the victim's body into six parts and severing his head with a machete five years ago.
A three-member Court of Appeal bench, chaired by Judge Datuk Seri Kamaludin Md Said, made the ruling in a unanimous decision after dismissing the appeal by You Poh Khoon, 57, to set aside the conviction and sentence on grounds of insanity.
"The court found the conviction and sentence by the (Ipoh) High Court (Ipoh) is safe. Therefore, the appeal is dismissed and the appellant still has the opportunity to appeal to the Federal Court," said Judge Kamaludin sitting with Datuk Hadhariah Syed Ismail and Datuk Azman Abdullah.
You was charged with murdering his 74-year-old father, You Su Kim, between 3 pm on Oct 8, 2018, and 10.30 am the following day in a house in Khatan Baru Chemor, Ipoh, Perak.
The charge, framed under Section 302 of the Penal Code, provides the death sentence upon conviction.
On May 24 last year, the Ipoh High Court sentenced You to death by hanging after he was found guilty of killing his father.
According to media reports, You killed his father by severing his head and chopping his body into six parts after the old man scolded him for consuming drugs at home.
The victim's head was buried in the backyard while the body parts were dumped into a 1.5-metre-deep sewage hole.
Earlier, lawyer Amir Faliq Mohamad Jamil, representing You, submitted that although the prosecution had called a psychiatrist (Llyod) who confirmed that his client was sane at the time of the incident, the doctor did not rule out the possibility of temporary insanity, if there was drug addiction.
He said based on the psychiatric report, You tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine.
The testimony by six prosecution witnesses also proved that You temporarily lost his sanity during the incident due to drug consumption, said the lawyer, who was assisted by lawyers Siti Nor Syahidah Ismail and Afina Abdul Hakim.
Meanwhile, deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Azmi Mashud submitted that during the medical examination at Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta, Perak, the psychiatrist confirmed that at the time of the incident, the appellant was not suffering from any mental illness.
"The appellant at the time of the incident was sane and knew the nature and consequences because at the time of the incident, the appellant was able to drive a car for more than 100 kilometres and detail the incident and what he did to the deceased," he added.
According to Muhammad Azmi, the testimony by the six prosecution witnesses that the appellant became insane due to drugs was only through their observations.
"All the witnesses were not experts who could determine the appellant's mental state at the time of the incident and during the defence proceedings, no witness contradicted the psychiatrist's testimony that the appellant was sane at the time of the incident," he added.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Mon Mar 06 2023
On May 24 last year, the Ipoh High Court sentenced You to death by hanging after he was found guilty of killing his father. - Astro AWANI
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.