Murder Trial of 13 Kolej Vokasional Lahad Datu Students Begins
The prosecution in the trial of 13 Kolej Vokasional Lahad Datu students, charged with the murder of Mohamad Nazmie Aizzat Mohd Narul Azwan, has begun. The students, aged between 16 and 19, are accused of assaulting the Biotechnology programme student at the same college prior to his death.
Autopsy Reveals Cause of Death
Deputy public prosecutor Nur Nisla Abd Latif said the autopsy conducted on March 23, 2024, confirmed that Mohamad Nazmie Aizzat’s cause of death was chest and soft tissue injuries due to blunt force trauma. The prosecution will prove that the accused assaulted the victim between 9 pm on March 21, 2024, and 7.35 am on March 22, 2024, in Dormitory Room 7 Resak and Dormitory Room 5 Belian at the college.
Eyewitness Accounts and Circumstantial Evidence
Nur Nisla said the prosecution would prove the case beyond reasonable doubt through the testimony of eyewitnesses, police officers, experts, and circumstantial evidence. The prosecution will also present evidence of the victim’s injuries, including bruises on his left rib, which were spotted by the college director while performing CPR.
Trial Proceedings
Before the trial began, Nur Nisla requested that the proceedings be declared a trial in the Children’s Court, in accordance with Section 11 of the Child Act 2001, and that media coverage be restricted due to the involvement of minor offenders. High Court Judge Datuk Duncan Sikodol ordered that all unrelated parties, other than parents or guardians, leave the courtroom.
Charges and Penalties
The 13 accused are charged with jointly murdering Mohamad Nazmie Aizzat, 17, at Dormitory Room 7 Resak and 5 Belian at Kolej Vokasional Lahad Datu between 9 pm on March 21 and 7.38 am the following day. The charge is framed under Section 302 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 34 of the same Code, which provides for the death penalty or imprisonment of between 30 and 40 years and not more than 12 strokes of the cane upon conviction.
Conclusion
The prosecution has presented its opening statement, outlining the evidence it will present to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt. The trial is expected to be a lengthy and complex one, with multiple witnesses and pieces of evidence to be presented.
FAQs
Q: What is the charge against the 13 accused students?
A: The charge is jointly murdering Mohamad Nazmie Aizzat, 17, at Dormitory Room 7 Resak and 5 Belian at Kolej Vokasional Lahad Datu between 9 pm on March 21 and 7.38 am the following day.
Q: What is the penalty for the charge?
A: The penalty is the death penalty or imprisonment of between 30 and 40 years and not more than 12 strokes of the cane upon conviction.
Q: Who is leading the prosecution?
A: Deputy public prosecutor Nur Nisla Abd Latif is leading the prosecution, assisted by deputy public prosecutors Ng Juhn Tao and Nur Batrisyia Mohd Khusri.
Q: Who are the defense lawyers?
A: Nine of the 13 accused are represented by lawyers Datuk Ram Singh, Chen Wen Jye, and Kamarudin Mohmad Chinki, two by lawyer Abdul Ghani Zelika, and two others by lawyers Vivian Thien and Jhassany P Kang.