PJ School Fatal Stabbing: 14yo Suspect Has Been Charged with Murder in Court, May Escape Death Penalty

The 14-year-old suspect in the fatal stabbing that took place in SMK Bandar Utama Damansara 4 was charged with murder today (22 October).

In a statement by the Attorney General’s Chamber (AGC) yesterday (21 October), after reviewing the files from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), AGC decided that it has sufficient grounds to charge the underage suspect for murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code.

At around 10:15 AM, the 14-year-old suspect was officially charged with murder.

The suspect of the Bandar Utama school stabbing was charged in court for murder today

The accused was charged at the Petaling Jaya Magistrate’s Court today. However, as the case involves a murder that falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court, the Magistrate’s Court did not record whether the defendant pleaded guilty or not.

In a live report by China Press, the charge was completed at around 10:30 AM, and the suspect was escorted out of the court. 

The accused’s lawyer had filed an application under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code to assess whether the defendant was mentally fit to stand trial.

Although Section 302 of the Penal Code states that the penalty upon conviction is death, Section 97(2) of the Child Act states that the death penalty for minors under 18 should be commuted to imprisonment with the approval of His Majesty, as reported by Sin Chew.

The shocking murder that rocked Malaysia

The tragedy that took the life of the 16-year-old Yap Shing Xuen took place on 14 October in SMK Bandar Utama Damansara 4, where the suspect climbed over the toilet cubicle and viciously stabbed Shing Xuen multiple times.

PDRM confirmed that the victim was stabbed with two knives, which the suspect purchased online.

Both PDRM and the victim’s parents confirmed that the suspect had never confessed, and the victim never knew the suspect personally. The suspect’s remand has also been extended until 28 October.

Yap Shing Xuen’s funeral was held on Monday (20 October), and her parents thanked everyone for the prayers. 

Stay tuned to WORLD OF BUZZ as we keep you updated.

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