For four hours, the whole of Malaysia waited with bated breaths while awaiting the Shah Alam High Court to deliver its verdict on the tragic passing of 16-year-old Yap Shing Xuen.
When the verdict was finally announced, it wasn’t what most expected as the 15-year-old accused was acquitted of murder and will be placed under the supervision of a psychiatric hospital.
A grieving mother
Unsurprisingly, the verdict was a bitter pill to swallow for Yap’s family, who endured much pain in picking up the pieces of their lives after the tragedy.
Her mother, Aapple Wong, later posted a news clipping of the verdict on social media along with the caption: “I’m sorry, my daughter. We will continue to seek justice for you.”
Wong had been very vocal about the immense heartbreak she faced upon losing Yap, with her reminiscing on the plans she had looked forward to fulfilling with her daughter on the 25th day of Yap’s death.
Yap’s older sister also penned a heart-wrenching tribute as well, writing: “May you find no fear or hurt on the other side, only light and peace. We will remember you and pray for you. May the deceased rest in peace, and may justice prevail.”
What was the verdict?
Earlier, Shah Alam High Court judge Adlin Abdul Majid stated that under Section 348 of the Penal Code, the accused must be sent to Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta in Perak at the pleasure of the Sultan of Selangor for treatment and be under constant supervision.
This comes after the accused’s legal team successfully argued that he was of unsound mind at the time of the incident and suffered from medical insanity, thus sparing him from the murder charge.
Prior to the verdict, the accused’s lawyer, Kitson Foong, ruffled feathers when he claimed the accused was also a victim in the tragedy.
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