Kota Kinabalu: A former Sabah rugby player charged with murdering his younger sister three months ago is fit to plead and stand trial, the Magistrate’s Court heard, Monday.
Magistrate Wan Farrah Farriza Wan Ghazali during mention of the case of Arden Mattson Maturin was informed by the prosecution that the psychiatric report of the accused has been obtained.
The prosecution submitted that the report dated Aug 17 stated that the accused has no mental illness and is fit to plead and stand trial.
Arden was referred to Hospital Mesra on May 23 following an application by his counsel for mental observation.
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Arden, 26, was accused of committing the crime against Audrey Maturin, 24, between 3.30pm and 4.30pm on May 4, at a house, in Taman Prestij, Jalan Signal Hill.
The charge under Section 302 of the Penal Code carries the death penalty, on conviction.
No plea was recorded from Arden
during the first mention of the case on May 12.
The Magistrate set Sept 27 for mention and ordered Arden to be further remanded as the charge against him has no provision for bail.
Arden was represented by counsel Julhamri Jumhani and Faustina Tulus.
Meanwhile, a Filipino cook was charged with the murder of his wife in the city four months ago.
Undocumented Arip Muktar was accused of murdering Filipina Belnita Abd Salleh between 5am and 8.30am on April 18, this year at a restaurant’s quarters at Pantai Street.
However, no plea was taken from Arip after the charge under Section 302 of the Penal Code was read to him.
Inspector Kelvan Elson Maik prosecuting applied for a new mention date pending the post mortem report.
Magistrate Lovely Natasha Charles fixed Sept 21 for mention and ordered Arip, who was not represented, to be remanded further.
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