Doubt that all of you remember the case last year…. the 15yo boy involved in a high profile school case has been found not guilty of murder by the Shah Alam High Court after the court determined that he was suffering from a mental disorder at the time of the incident.
According to KwongWah, the case involved the death of a 16 yo female student at a secondary school in Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya, which attracted significant public attention when it occurred in October 2025. The accused, who was 14 years old at the time, had faced a murder charge under Section 302 of the Penal Code.
During the court proceedings, the defence argued that the teenager was experiencing a mental disorder at the time of the incident. The defence relied on evidence from psychiatric experts, who provided professional opinions regarding his mental condition.
The defence lawyer, Kitson Foong, stated that the court accepted the psychiatric evidence presented and found that the teenager’s condition fell within the legal definition of unsoundness of mind under Section 84 of the Penal Code. Under this provision, a person may not be held criminally responsible if, at the time of an act, they were unable to understand the nature of their actions or recognise that the act was wrong due to mental illness.
Although the court found the teenager not guilty of murder, it ordered that he be placed at a psychiatric hospital in Perak for treatment and supervision under Section 348 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The matter will be referred to the Sultan of Selangor for further consideration.
According to the defence, the teenager will undergo treatment at the hospital, and progress reports will be prepared periodically. These reports will be submitted for review to determine his future circumstances and whether he may eventually return to society.
The lawyer also emphasised that the court’s decision should not be viewed as disregarding the feelings of the victim’s family. He explained that the decision was based on legal principles and expert psychiatric evidence presented during the trial.
The trial involved evidence from 11 witnesses, including forensic experts, teachers, and investigating officers. After the prosecution completed its case, the court initially found that there was sufficient evidence for the teenager to enter his defence. However, after considering the defence evidence and psychiatric assessments, the court reached its final decision.
The case highlights the importance of considering both legal responsibility and mental health factors within the criminal justice system. It also demonstrates how courts examine expert evidence when determining whether an accused person can be held responsible for their actions.
While the court’s decision has concluded the criminal proceedings, the teenager’s treatment and rehabilitation process will continue under medical supervision.
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