Kota Kinabalu: A 40-year-old man charged with murdering a man in Beaufort four years ago will know on May 23 whether he will have to enter his defence or acquitted of the charge.
High Court Judicial Commissioner Amelati Parnell set the date for Hobalan N. Vello at the end of the prosecution’s stage.
The prosecution closed its case after calling 26 witnesses.
Hobalan was accused of murdering Albert @ Recquel A Agang, 53, between 11.30pm on Dec 18, 2020 and 12.05am on Dec 19, 2020 outside the 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.
The court directed the prosecution to file its reply submission to the defence’s submission.
Hobalan’s bail was extended pending the date.
On Oct 22, 2021, Hobalan was allowed bail at RM200,000 with RM50,000 deposited in two sureties following his bail application.
Hobalan, a restaurant owner, was represented by counsel Ram Singh.
Meanwhile, the prosecution in the case of an Indonesian man charged with two counts of drug trafficking also closed its case after calling four witnesses.
High Court Judge Datuk Dr Lim Hock Leng fixed April 23 for submission on whether a prima facie case has been made out to be exchanged by 10am on April 23 and set for clarification/decision at 2.30pm the same day.
On trial is a 31-year-old thrift shop operator Baharuddin Anwar, who was accused of trafficking 4,170.1gm syabu on March 10, 2022 at 12.30pm at the parking area of Cyber City apartment, Block E, Kepayan.
On the second count, Baharuddin allegedly trafficked 420.5gm of syabu on March 10, 2022, at 6.45pm at a unit at Suria Shop Apartment, Jalan Penampang Lama.
Each charge under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 carries a punishment of either the death penalty or life in prison and whipping with a minimum of 15 strokes.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Dacia Jane Romanus prosecuted while Baharuddin was represented by appointed counsel Datuk Nelson Angang.
