PETALING JAYA: The Magistrate’s Court on Friday (Dec 19) fixed Jan 16 for the submission of a psychiatric report on a teenage boy charged with murdering a 16-year-old female student in a Bandar Utama secondary school in October.
The accused's lawyer, Kitson Foong, told the court that Magistrate Amira Sariaty Zainal had granted the defence's application for an extension to obtain the report from Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta, Perak.
"Medical officers at the hospital indicated they required more time for a full assessment, including interviews with the juvenile's family members and a review of his behavioural history at home and school, with the assistance of the investigating officer.
"In light of this, the court has granted an extension of nearly one month and expects the report to be completed by the next proceeding.
"Our client was not present in court today as he remains under treatment and assessment at the hospital," Foong told reporters outside the courtroom following a closed-door mention of the case, which is being heard in camera as it involves a juvenile offender.
Foong emphasised that the psychiatric report is critical to determine his client’s level of understanding before the High Court takes his plea or sets a trial date.
"He is currently in a stable condition and showing positive development in rehabilitation. He is responding well to treatment," the lawyer added.
The boy is accused of killing his 16-year-old schoolmate at a secondary school in Bandar Utama, between 9.20am and 9.35am on Oct 14.
On Oct 22, he was charged with murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the death penalty or imprisonment of between 30 and 40 years. If the death penalty is not imposed, the accused shall also be liable to not more than 12 strokes of the cane.
No plea was recorded from the youth as a murder charge falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
Deputy public prosecutor Syed Ahmed Khabir Abdul Rahman appeared for the prosecution. - Bernama
