A three-month psychiatric assessment by Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta has found that a 15-year-old student accused of killing his 16-year-old schoolmate, Yap Shing Xuen, in Bandar Utama last October is fit to stand trial.
According to New Straits Times, the accused’s lawyer, Kitson Foong, told reporters outside court today that the psychiatric evaluation had been completed and the report was presented to Magistrate Amira Sariaty Zainal during the latest case mention.
Capable of understanding court proceedings
The report, prepared by Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta director Dr Ian Lloyd Anthony, concluded that the accused is capable of understanding court proceedings, fit to plead, and able to conduct his defence.
The psychiatric expert concluded that the accused is capable and fit to plead, stand trial, and conduct his defence. That is the most important consideration in the court process. With this finding, the case will proceed in court.”
Following the submission of the report, the court issued several instructions, including ordering that the accused be placed at the Puncak Alam Correctional Centre in Selangor starting today.
The court also directed that the teenager be brought out once a month for psychiatric follow-up sessions to ensure continuous counselling and treatment.
Medication prescribed by doctors must also be provided daily as part of his ongoing care plan.
Dental follow-up also ordered
Foong further raised in court that the accused, who has been wearing dental braces, had not received any dental follow-up treatment for over three months.
In response, the court ordered prison authorities to arrange monthly visits for the accused to see a dental specialist for examination and cleaning.
The court has fixed February 6 for the next mention to determine whether the prosecution will transfer the case to the High Court for trial.
