Kevin's murder: Two accused pleaded not guilty to alternative charges

Both accused, S. Nimalan, 22, and A. Thinesh Kumar, 22, made the plead after the alterative charges were read separately before judge Datuk Azman Abdullah.

Both of them were initially charged for the murder of Kevin under Section 302 of the Penal Code which carries the mandatory death sentence upon conviction.

When met by the media outside the court, deputy public prosecutor Datuk Abdul Razak Musa said the alternative charges were offered after studying the facts of the case and the roles of the two in the case.

Nimalan, a college student was charged with helping to hide the body and destroying vehicle with registration number WA6264Q with the intention of preventing six others from facing legal action.

He was alleged to have committed the offence from Jalan Dutamas 1 here to an oil palm plantation in Kampong Sungai Samak, Hutan Melintang in Hilir Perak between 7 am on Sept 4, 2015 to 2 am the following day.

The charge under Section 201 of the Penal Code provides a maximum jail term of seven years and fine if convicted.

Meanwhile, Thinesh, an unemployed, was charged with the six other individuals for causing the death of Kevin from Jalan Dutamas 1 here to No 20, Desa Mentari, Petaling Jaya between 7 am to 11.30 am on Sept 4, 2015. Thinesh who was charged with committing homicide not amounting to murder, could be sentenced under Section 304(a) of the Penal Code which carries a maximum imprisonment of 30 years and fine upon conviction.

Earlier, Abdul Razak announced that all documents relating to the case had been submitted to the defence. The court also maintained the trial date on April 6.