KUALA LUMPUR: The trial of seven men, including a doctor, charged with murdering and abetting in the murder of deputy public prosecutor Datuk Anthony Kevin Morais will begin tomorrow.
Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Abdul Razak Musa when contacted said the High Court had fixed 16 days for hearing, before justice Datuk Azman Abdullah.
The trial dates are as follows: April 6 until April 15; May 3 until May 6; June 6 until June 8; and June 27 until June 28. The prosecution would be calling 60 witnesses.
Counsel Datuk N. Sivananthan who is representing the doctor and army pathologist, Colonel Dr K. Kunaseegaran said he was ready for the trial.
“As far as I am concerned my client has absolutely nothing to do with the death of Kevin and he did not aid or abet it in any manner whatsoever,” he said when asked on his client’s case.
Last Jan 27, the six men - G. Gunasekaran, 43; R. Dinishwaran, 23; A. Thinesh Kumar, 22; M. Vishwanath, 25; S. Nimalan, 22; and S. Ravichandaran, 34, had pleaded not guilty when charged.
They allegedly committed the offence between 7 am and 8 pm on Sept 4, 2015, between Jalan Dutamas Raya Sentul and No. 1 Jalan USJ1/6D, Subang Jaya.
They face the mandatory death penalty if convicted under Section 302 of the Penal Code, while Kunaseegaran, 52, had pleaded not guilty to abetting the six men in Kevin’s murder at the same place, date and time.
He is charged under Section 109 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 302 of the same act.
On March 28, Nimalan and Thinesh Kumar pleaded not guilty to alternative charges of helping to hide the body and causing Kevin Morais’ death.
Nimalan, a college student allegedly helped in hiding the body and destroying a vehicle with the intention of preventing six others from facing legal action.
The charge under Section 201 of the Penal Code provides for a maximum jail term of seven years and fine upon conviction.
Thinesh Kumar, an unemployed, allegedly with six other individuals caused Kevin’s death on the way between Jalan Dutamas 1 here and No 20, Desa Mentari, Petaling Jaya on Sept 4, 2015, between 7 am and 11.30 am.
He allegedly committed culpable homicide not amounting to murder, under Section 304(a) of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum imprisonment of 30 years and a fine upon conviction.
By rejecting the alternative charges offered, both Nimalan and Thinesh Kumar are still jointly charged under Section 302 of Penal Code.
Kevin Morais was reported missing on Sept 4 last year.
He was last seen leaving his apartment at Menara Duta here in a Proton Perdana car bearing registration number WA6264Q.
His remains were found in a cemented drum at Persiaran Subang Mewah, Subang Jaya, near here on Sept 16 last year.
Gunasekaran, Vishwanath, Nimalan and Ravichandaran will be defended by counsel V. Rajehgopal while Dinishwaran and Thinesh Kumar, by M. Manoharan.-- BERNAMA
