Dad accused of molesting, murdering daughter deemed fit to stand trial (Penang, Malaysia)

UNNAMED DAD is accused of molesting and murdering his 14-year-old daughter in 2004. Mental health issues have been raised, but it doesn't look like the court is buying.

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/20090810175649/Article/index_html

Father accused of murdering child is fit to stand trial
2009/08/10

PENANG, Mon: The Georgetown Magistrate's Court here was today told that a man who is facing charges of having murdered his daughter and committing incest on another daughter, is fit to stand trial.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Tan Guat Cheng who is handling the prosecution told the court that the prosecution had received a report to the effect from Hospital Bahagia Tanjong Rambutan in Perak.

"The report stated the accused is physically and mentally fit to face the charges against him," he told Magistrate Ainul Bashirah Dona Don Biyajid.

At the Magistrate's Court proceedings on May 15, the accused was seen behaving strangely and did not give any response when the murder charge was read out to him, necessitating an evaluation to done on him at the mental hospital.

The 40-year-old acccused, from Bandar Baru Ayer Itam here, is alleged to have murdered the girl at Medan Angsana 1, between 7am and 7pm on Nov 11 2004.


If convicted, he faces the mandatory death sentence under Section 302 of the Penal Code.

Ainul Bashirah set Sept 11 for re-mention and submission of post-mortem and DNA reports.

When the incest charge involving his 14-year-old daughter was heard in the Sessions Court after the hearing in the Magistrate's court today, again the accused was seen to be behaving like an insane person when the charge was read out to him.

Despite the charge repeatedly read to him by the court interpreter, the accused just kept silent while staring at the people seated in the gallery.

Judge Rosilah Yop then fixed Aug 24 for re-mention and submission of the medical report on the victim.

The accused is alleged to have committed the incest offence at a men's toilet on the sixth floor of Kompleks Farlim, Ayer Itam here around 12.30pm on Feb 7.

He is liable to be jailed not less than six years and not more than 20 years and whipped under Section 376B(1) of the Penal Code, if convicted of the offence. -- BERNAMA