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Zhou Tai
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Published: Friday December 17, 2010 MYT 5:54:00 PM
Labourer to hang for killing son, flinging him into a river
SHAH ALAM: A labourer was sentenced to death by hanging for killing his son, stuffing him into a bag and throwing it into a river. High Court Judge Datuk Wira Mohtarudin Baki said Fridaythat the defence had failed to cast reasonable doubt on the prosecution's case.
M. Murthy, 32, was charged with murdering M. Ruthren, two years and nine months old, in a house at Lot 848, Jalan Kapar, Sungai Klang, Klang at 4.15pm on Jan 20 2007.
The charge under Section 302 of Penal Code provides for death by hanging upon conviction. Media reports said the luggage, with the body, inside was found by fishermen in the Straits of Malacca near Pulau Sembilan, Teluk Intan, Perak.
An autopsy on the body revealed several broken bones and bruises. Mohtarudin said Murthy claimed that Ruthren fell in the bathroom and died from fits but that was never raised by the defence counsel.
"As a responsible father, the accused should have taken the victim to hospital. Instead he smoked a cigarrette in the living room. There was no panic."
He added the defence claim that Murthy’s wife was an accomplice in the murder was rejected as he had threatened her with death.
The medical officer's testimony stated that the body had a broken nose and bruises in the buttock from beatings with a blunt object like a piece of wood.
"The DNA expert confirmed that the victim was the son of the accused and his wife. I agree that his defence was an after thought to save himself," he added.
Deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Rosida Abu Bakar called 20 witnesses while defence counsel K. Vikneswaran called only one witness. - Bernama
