http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/st-now-news-as-it-happens-oct-21-2015
10:42
Happening now: City Harvest trial
The prosecution will file written submissions by Nov 6 and respective mitigation pleas by Nov 13. Oral submissions will be delivered on Nov 20 at 9.30am.
The prosecution has asked for bail to be doubled. Judge See is extending bail to all six accused: Bail stands at $1 million each for Kong Hee, Tan Ye Peng, John Lam and Chew Eng Han; $750,000 each for Serina Wee and Sharon Tan. They are not permitted to travel.
10:39
Happening now: City Harvest trial
The parties are out of the chambers. The lawyers are now in discussion with their clients.
10:25
Happening now: City Harvest trial
There is silence in the docks. Kong Hee, Tan Ye Peng, Serina Wee and John Lam all have their heads hung low. Sharon Tan is wiping away tears. The five of them are not talking to one another, unlike at the start when they were seen laughing and smiling to one another.
10:20
Happening now: City Harvest trial
The mood outside the courtroom is grim. Inside, there's quiet chatter among those in the gallery. Most people are on their phones.
10:15
Happening now: City Harvest trial
There are many grim faces outside the courtroom as people are seen constantly checking their phones.
Serina Wee looks slightly teary-eyed, while Sharon Tan can also be heard sniffing. Kong Hee's head is bowed low - he appears to be praying.
10:12
Happening now: City Harvest trial
Judge See has stood down for 5-10 minutes to speak to parties in the chambers. Serina Wee's husband, Kenny Low, goes up to the dock to give her a quick hug.
10:07
Happening now: City Harvest trial
The six accused are found guilty of ALL charges against them, says Judge See.
For a recap of the charges each are facing, read:
http://str.sg/ZLf8
10:04
Happening now: City Harvest trial
Judge See says that much of the defence centred on the beliefs and they went ahead to act in good faith as a result. The weight of the evidence (shows) that they knew they were dishonest.
10:00
Happening now: City Harvest trial
"They (Chew Eng Han, Tan Ye Peng, Serina Wee, Sharon Tan) all have intent to defraud," says Judge See.
09:57
Happening now: City Harvest trial
" (The accused persons) just created labels attached on to stretch the meaning of the money", says Judge See, adding that he is not convinced of the supposed mixed purpose of the bonds.
09:54
Happening now: City Harvest trial
"There is no doubt they (Kong Hee, Tan Ye Peng, Serina Wee, Chew Eng Han) knew that they have something to hide. (The) prospect of financial return wasn't their genuine concern. Accused persons all knew that the primary purpose of the bonds (was) to channel money to the Crossover (Project)," says Judge See.
09:51
Happening now: City Harvest trial
Judge See says the use of Xtron funds were entirely controlled by Kong Hee and his team. John Lam had a part to play as board member. All of them knew the building fund was a restricted fund. "It was not a realistic expectation to expect US album to sell more than 200,000," Judge See says, adding that it was "mere excuse for CHC to channel money to Xtron".
09:49
Happening now: City Harvest trial
On the wrong use of building funds, Judge See says he finds that the bonds were "not genuine investments". He says the "perceived success of Crossover was inflated".
09:47
Happening now: City Harvest trial
Judge See says the main background facts are undisputed. He will focus on the extent of the person's knowledge and their conduct. He is satisfied that church funds were entrusted to Kong Hee, Tan Ye Peng and John Lam as members of the CHC management board.
09:43
Happening now: City Harvest trial
The trial has started: Judge See Kee Oon will give oral submissions and full grounds of the written judgment.
09:37
Happening now: City Harvest trial
Kong Hee's wife Sun Ho is seated in the gallery and looking nervous. She g
ives a slight smile to Sharon Tan.
09:33
Happening now: City Harvest trial
The six defendants - Kong Hee, Tan Ye Peng, Chew Eng Han, Serina Wee, Sharon Tan and John Lam - are now seated in the dock. They look relaxed and are chatting and smiling to each other. Tan Ye Peng flashes a thumbs up to his lawyers. More than 60 people have filled the courtroom. There's a sense of nervous tension in the gallery.
09:19
Happening now: City Harvest trial
Church founder and senior pastor Kong Hee arriving at the State Courts with his wife Ho Yeow Sun.
09:15
Happening now: City Harvest trial
One of the six accused, former CHC finance manager Serina Wee, 38, arriving at the State Courts.