KUCHING, Nov 18 — A man escaped the death penalty after the Federal Court allowed his final appeal against a conviction for the murder of his brother with a sawn-off shotgun at a longhouse in Sibu nine years ago.
A three-judge panel, presided over by Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Datuk Azizah Nawawi, alongside Datuk Rhodzariah Bujang and Datuk Azimah Omar, unanimously set aside the death sentence imposed initially by the Sibu High Court on Ringgie Ampas, 47.
The court allowed his appeal and sentenced the accused to 35 years' imprisonment, effective from the date of his arrest on May 21, 2017, with 15 strokes of the cane.
Ringgie's counsel Louis Jarau Patrick said they had applied to the Attorney-General's Chambers for a sentence review under the Abolition of Mandatory Death Penalty Act 2023.
"I applied for a 30-year prison sentence for my client," he told the press at the Kuching High Court.
Meanwhile, Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Amril Johari did not oppose the accused's application but submitted that a sentence of 33 years' imprisonment and 13 strokes of the cane should be imposed.
It was previously reported by the media that Ringgie had shot and killed his brother Entili at Kampung Sibintek, Skim B, Batu 24, Sibu, on May 21, 2017, following an altercation at their longhouse.
The victim was pronounced dead at the scene after being shot with a sawn-off shotgun from a distance of approximately 100 metres.
It is understood that the dispute arose when the accused attempted to prevent the victim from assaulting his (Ringgie's) daughter.
The accused was arrested on the same day and later charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code.
