Today, the 17-year-old teenager who allegedly stabbed his own mother and brother at their home in Melaka was charged in court for murder.
Following the court proceeding, lawyers representing the teen revealed that he may have been experiencing mental health issues prior to the murders.
Reportedly struggled with mental health
As reported by MalaysiaGazette, the teen’s lawyers, Cassian Anthony, Francis Augustine Sosay, and E. Lee Thian, said they were informed of their client’s longstanding mental health issues by those who knew him personally.
Despite the troubling revelation, the lawyers said they will not jump into conclusions just yet and will look into all possibilities.
We will do so before making an application for the accused to be sent to Hospital Bahagia to be examined by experts.”
The lawyers also said none of the teen’s family members turned up in court to hear the proceedings although they were invited beforehand.
Charged with murder
According to NST, the teen was accused of intentionally causing the deaths of his 51-year-old mother and 21-year-old brother at their home on Jalan RM 3, Taman Rambai Mutiara, on June 12, between 5am and 5.30am.
He was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the death penalty or imprisonment of up to 40 years and a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane upon conviction.
The teen was also accused of voluntarily causing grievous hurt to his 13-year-old brother with a folding knife at the same time and location.
If convicted under Section 326 of the Penal Code, he faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine, or whipping.
Read more about our coverage on the case here:
