The 14-year-old boy charged with the murder of a 16-year-old schoolmate at a secondary school in Bandar Utama has been found fit to stand trial, the Magistrates’ Court was informed today. He had stabbed the victim in the female restroom.
A comprehensive psychiatric report from Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta in Perak was presented to the court, confirming that the accused is mentally capable of understanding the legal proceedings and of conducting his defence, as reported by Malay Mail.
Defence counsel Kitson Foong told reporters that the findings were crucial in determining whether the teenager comprehends the court process and is able to defend himself when the trial begins.
“This confirms that the case will proceed through the court system,” he said.
The teenager was charged on October 14 with murdering the female student in the school’s girls’ restroom. No plea was recorded, as murder cases fall under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
Following closed-door proceedings, the court ordered that the accused be remanded at the Puncak Alam Correctional Centre in Selangor, a facility for juvenile offenders, pending his next court appearance.
Foong added that the court also instructed that his client attend monthly counselling sessions and be taken for dental treatment to maintain his braces, which have not been properly attended to since his detention three months ago.
The prosecution is now reviewing all evidence, including the psychiatric and post-mortem reports, before determining the next step, which is expected to involve transferring the case to the High Court for trial.
The next mention has been scheduled for February 6.
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