Kota Kinabalu: A 71-year-old charged with murdering his 44-year-old former fiancée, whose dismembered remains were found in a communal bin at Taman Indah Permai, Sepanggar, two months ago, was ordered by the Magistrate’s Court to be referred to Hospital Mesra, here, for psychiatric observation.
Magistrate Dzul Elmy Yunus made the order on Piluta Samad
(pic) following an application by his counsel for him to undergo observation at the said hospital for 30 days.
The court fixed May 15 for further mention of the case.
Counsel Datuk Ram Singh, representing Piluta, informed the court that based on his interview and observations of the accused’s words and behaviour, there was a need for him to be assessed by specialists at the hospital for 30 days, with a possible extension of a further 30 days under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Ram also said the accused is a heart patient and is on medication.
The case came up for mention Wednesday pending DNA, forensic, pathology and chemist reports.
Earlier, Deputy Public Prosecutor Kareena Kaur Gill Karamjit Singh applied for another month as they are still awaiting two expert reports, namely the chemist and post-mortem reports.
Piluta, self-employed, allegedly murdered an undocumented Hamidah Husin @ Lisa on Feb 11, between 6pm and 7pm, at a house in Kampung Sri Kenangan, Jalan Sepanggar.
The charge under Section 302 of the Penal Code provides for the death penalty or imprisonment of not less than 30 years and not more than 40 years, and at least 12 strokes of the cane, if not sentenced to death, on conviction.
He was first brought to the Magistrate’s Court on Feb 27, this year.
No plea was taken from him as murder cases fall under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
Together with Ram in representing the accused were counsel Joan Goh, Ian vun and Prem Elmer Ganasan.
