Kota Kinabalu: A 38-year-old restaurant owner charged with murdering a man in Beaufort two years ago, will go on trial on March next year.
Judicial Commissioner Amelati Parnell on Monday fixed March 6-9 next year for the trial of Hobalan N. Vello.
Hobalan was accused of committing the crime on one Albert @ Recquel A Agang, 53, between 11.30pm on Dec 18, 2020 and 12.05am on Dec 19, 2020 outside My Heaven Seafood restaurant in Beaufort.
He had on Oct 22, 2021 claimed trial to the charge under Section 302 of the Penal Code which carries the death penalty on conviction.
Hobalan’s counsel informed the court that the defence had just received the complete post-mortem on Monday and that they would be writing a representation letter to the Deputy Public Prosecutor’s office.
The court set Aug 15 for mention to update on the representation.
Hobalan was also on Oct 22, last year allowed bail at RM200,000 with RM50,000 deposited in two sureties following his bail application.
He was represented by counsel Ram Singh, Kimberly Ye and Chen Wen Jye.