KUANTAN: A 39-year-old petty trader was sentenced to death by the High Court here today for murdering French tourist Stephanie Foray on Pulau Tioman, Rompin some three years ago.
Judge Datuk Seri Mariana Yahya sentenced Asni Omar after finding him guilty of murdering the woman at an unnumbered house at Kampung Tekek, Pulau Tioman, between 8pm on May 10 and noon on May 12, 2011.
In her oral judgment, Mariana said she found Asni's defence had failed to proof his case beyond reasonable doubt and his defence was a mere denial.
She outlined several reasons which showed that Asni was strongly linked with the murder saying the chain of events showed that the accused had come up with a story to show that he was innocent.
Mariana said the accused was also the person responsible to lead the police team to the cave where Foray's body was buried and her belongings were found.
Foray's parents Joel and Irene Mortel were among those present in court today.
Forty-five prosecution witnesses and five defence witnesses testified during trial, which began on May 14, 2012.
On March 21, the High Court here ruled that a prima facie case had been established against Asni and ordered him to enter his defence on a charge of murdering Foray. The accused had chosen tomake his defence under oath.
