SHAH ALAM, Nov 21 — The psychiatric assessment report for the 14-year-old boy accused of murdering his schoolmate in Bandar Utama last month is expected to be completed next month.
Harian Metro reported that Kitson Foong, the lawyer representing the teenager, said the Bahagia Ulu Kinta Hospital (HBUK) in Tanjung Rambutan, Perak, informed them that they require an additional month to complete the report.
“Under Section 342(4) of the Criminal Procedure Code, the court has the discretion to extend the period by another month. So, December 19 has been set for the next mention, with the hope that the report will be completed and ready,” he said.
Foong was speaking to the press after a mention proceeding held in camera before Magistrate Amira Sariaty Zainal, given that the accused is a juvenile offender. Deputy Public Prosecutor Syed Ahmed Khabir Abdul Rahman led the prosecution.
He added that the psychiatric report is crucial in determining his client’s mental fitness to make a plea or stand trial.
“This assessment is also important because the accused’s mental state at the time the offence was committed must be taken into account. All of the accused’s rights are important.
"This process of obtaining the psychiatric evaluation is not intended to delay the case. The sanity and readiness of a patient must also be considered before he can be scheduled for proceedings,” Foong said.
Present during the proceedings was watching brief lawyer Nur Izni Syazwani Ahmad, who is representing the victim’s family.
According to the charge, the suspect is accused of murdering a 16-year-old female student in the girls’ toilet of a school in Bandar Utama between 9.20am and 9.35am on October 14.
The charge is framed under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the death penalty or imprisonment of between 30 and 40 years, as well as not fewer than 12 strokes of the cane, upon conviction.
On October 22, the court allowed the defence’s application for the accused to undergo a psychiatric evaluation at HBUK under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Previously, the police said the victim died after being stabbed in the girls’ toilet, and that two sharp weapons were also found at the scene.
In a press conference, the victim’s mother claimed that her daughter was stabbed more than 200 times, making the case one of the most tragic and shocking in the country.
