TAIPING: The High Court heard that it could not convict bomoh Rahim Ismail and palace aide Tengku Aristonsjah Tengku Mohamad Ansary of abetting in Hasleza Ishaks murder when the main culprit had admitted to a reduced charge of causing her death.
Rahims counsel Gurbachan Singh submitted that the charge of abetting a murder could not stand as the main culprit, padi farmer Mat Saad Isa, had admitted to committing culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The prosecution prejudiced its own case by offering an alternative charge to Mat Saad, who was then a co-accused in the murder trial.