Kota Kinabalu: The High Court had set trial dates starting December this year for hearing the case involving a 72-year-old man charged with murdering his former fiancée, whose dismembered body parts were found in a rubbish bin at Taman Indah Permai, Sepanggar.
Judicial Commissioner Dayang Ellyn Narisa Abang Ahmad had fixed Dec 14-16, this year, Dec 18, Feb 15-19, 2027, Feb 24-26, 2027 and May 24-28, 2027 for Piluta Samad’s trial dates.
The court also fixed Nov 16 for further pre-trial case management and witness statements are to be served by Nov 30 this year.
About 35 witnesses are expected to be called during the hearing.
Piluta is accused of killing his former fiancée, one Hamidah Husin @ Lisa on Feb 11, between 6pm and 7pm, at a house in Kampung Sri Kenangan, Jalan Sepanggar, here.
He was first charged on Feb 27 this year to face the charge under Section 302 of the Penal Code which provides for the death penalty or a jail sentence of between 30 and n 40 years, and whipping at least 12 strokes, if not sentenced to death, on conviction.
On April 15, the Magistrate’s Court ordered Piluta to undergo psychiatric observation at Hospital Mesra Bukit Padang following an application by the defence.
On July 23, the prosecution informed the court that a psychiatric report from the hospital confirmed that Piluta was fit to plead and stand trial and did not suffer from any mental illness.
On Sept 8, the Magistrate’s Court had transferred the case to the High Court.
On Sept 14 this year, Piluta had claimed trial to the charge against him.
Since then, Piluta was ordered to be remanded further pending the disposal of his case, as the charge against him has no provision for bail.
State Prosecution Director Naziah Moktar and Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Samira Khalili and DPP Ronnie Anthony appeared for the prosecution.
Piluta was represented by counsels Datuk Ram Singh, Joan Goh, Prem Ganasan, Ian Vun and Prabjit Singh Gill.
