KOTA KINABALU: A former Sabah rugby player has been charged in the Magistrate’s Court here for murdering his younger sister.
Arden Mattson Maturin, 26, is accused of murdering Audrey Maturin, 25, at their family house in Taman Prestij, Jalan Signal Hill, here on May 4.
Arden, who was clad in a purple shirt, appeared before Magistrate Jessica Ombou Kakayun yesterday to be charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which provides for the mandatory death sentence upon conviction.
The accused, who was unrepresented, suddenly told the court, “I am not guilty. I want to have a trial.”
The magistrate then explained at length to the accused that his case was only up for mention and that his plea would be heard at the High Court.
Prosecuting officer Insp Albert Basiri applied for the next mention date and to extend the accused’s remand.
Jessica subsequently fixed June 14 for the next mention and extended the remand.
Murder is a non-bailable offence.
Audrey was found with serious facial injuries by her father at their family home on May 4.
Police had earlier said that the suspect punched his sister during a quarrel, resulting in her having to be rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital II and placed in the intensive care unit.
However, Audrey succumbed to her injuries without gaining consciousness two days later.
Kota Kinabalu OCPD Asst Comm Mohd Zaidi Abdullah said investigations were earlier framed under Section 325 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing grievous hurt, but were later reclassified as murder.
He added that police did not find any weapons at the scene but had seized two rings worn by the suspect, who tested negative for drugs.
