PETALING JAYA: An American was charged with culpable homicide at the Sessions Court here today over the death of a Malaysian man.
Thomas Joseph, 30, pleaded not guilty before judge Syahliza Warnoh.
He was accused of causing the death of 58-year-old Chandra Bose Kuppusamy at a bar in The Square Jaya One here on March 23 at about 12.30am.
Joseph, who is a technician in the United States, was charged under Section 304(a) of the Penal Code with culpable homicide, which is punishable by up to 30 years' imprisonment and a fine upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Anis Hakimah Ibrahim contended that the accused had committed a serious offence, and urged the court to take into account public safety.
"The accused is a foreigner, therefore, the prosecution feels that there is a potential for flight risk."
She said the accused could be offered bail at a high amount with the condition that he surrendered his passport and report to the nearest police station each month.
Defence counsel Datuk Suraj Singh, in mitigation, said his client was not a "hardened criminal" who needed to be isolated from society.
"He does not know the victim, and the incident happened at a public area.
"We ask that my client be granted bail in an appropriate amount. If the court allows bail, the defence presents two Malaysians as sureties. His father is also here from the United States."
The judge ruled that there were no reasonable grounds for bail.
"Therefore, no bail is allowed," said Syahliza.
The court fixed May 28 for mention.
Earlier, it was reported that a quarrel broke out between two patrons of an entertainment outlet .
The accused had allegedly bumped into the victim.
Police said the suspect punched the victim when the latter kicked him.
As a result of the punch, the victim fell and suffered severe head injuries and died.
