Kota Kinabalu: The Magistrate’s Court here on Friday allowed a 71-year-old murder accused and his counsel to be present during a visit to his house and the alleged crime scene as part of an ongoing psychiatric assessment.
Magistrate Dzul Elmy Yunus granted the request by the defence during a mention of the case involving Piluta Samad (pic), who is charged with murdering his former fiancée.
The prosecution informed the court that they received a letter from Hospital Mesra Bukit Padang stated that the visit formed part of the assessment being conducted to prepare a psychiatric report ordered by the court.
The court was also informed that although Piluta’s presence was not required for the visit, he had expressed a wish to attend together with his counsel and that the hospital had no objection should the court permit their attendance.
Counsel Datuk Ram Singh, representing the accused, applied for permission for Piluta and his counsel to be present during the locus visit, while the prosecution raised no objection provided there was no interference with the assessment process.
The court maintained June 25 for further mention pending completion of the psychiatric report.
Piluta is charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code with murdering one Hamidah Husin @ Lisa, 44, at a house in Kampung Sri Kenangan, Jalan Sepanggar, between 6pm and 7pm on Feb 11.
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.
On April 15, the Magistrate ordered Piluta to undergo psychiatric observation at Hospital Mesra Bukit Padang following an application by Ram.
Piluta was first brought to the Magistrate’s Court on Feb 27 this year.
However, no plea was taken from him as murder cases fall under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
Meanwhile, a 26-year-old man was jailed six weeks for having a car rim, believed to be stolen.
Faizal Hussin admitted to committing the offence and failed to give a satisfactory explanation on how he obtained it at about 2.15pm on June 4 at a house in Telipok Setelment Scheme, near here.
He was charged under Section 22A(1) of the Minor Offences Ordinance, which provides for a RM100 fine or a jail term of up to three months or both on conviction.
