Cop accused of gunning down odd-job worker freed

SUNGAI PETANI: A police corporal accused of gunning down an odd-job worker was acquitted of culpable homicide.

The Sessions Court freed corporal Noradha Mikhael, 37, of killing Shahrul Rizal Abd Rahim, 30, in 2015.

Judge N. Priscilla Hemamalini ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case against Noradha.

The judge heard evidence from 14 prosecution witnesses during the trial with the key witness being Noradha’s mother-in-law, an eyewitness.

Noradha claimed trial to causing the death of Shahrul Rizal, who was hit by a bullet near a factory in Jalan Guar Nenas, Gurun, Kedah, at around 1pm on March 4, two years ago.

He was charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder under Section 304(a) of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of up to 30 years and a possible fine.

Defence counsel Dev Kumaraendran said Noradha only fired a warning shot to the ground but it ricocheted and hit the victim from an upward trajectory.

The accused was searching for his stolen motorcycle when he chanced upon Shahrul Rizal, who tried to ride away on a motorcycle and Noradha stopped him.

DPP Sharifah Zulia Balqish Syed Agil said she would file an appeal.