SINGAPORE: A teenager accused of killing his father in Yishun will be remanded in custody for police investigations after a court granted a prosecutor’s request on Thursday (October 13th).
Meanwhile, the court denied the defense lawyer’s request for access to 19-year-old Sylesnar Seah Jie Kai before the end of police investigations.
Seah was charged on Wednesday with the murder of his father, Eddie Seah Wee Teck, 47, between the fourth and fifth floors of block 653, Yishun Avenue 4, on October 10.
The indictment for the capital offense did not state how the older man’s death was caused.
Defense attorney Sunil Sudheesan had filed three access requests for his client on Wednesday when Seah was first charged. He was told to file written submissions and return the next day.
On Thursday, two assistant prosecutors took up the case and asked District Judge Terence Tay to grant them a further seven-day pretrial detention.
The prosecution said police investigations into “a very serious charge of murder” were only into day three, as Seah was arrested on Monday night.
“There are still many investigations ahead – crucial investigations, the continued taking of statements, the recovery of key evidence, as well as the return of the defendant to the scene for a further site visit,” he said. said one of the prosecutors.
“At this stage, we believe it is premature to grant access to counsel, given that we are at (a) nascent stage of the investigations.”
He said the law was clear that a defendant would have access to counsel “within a reasonable time”. The question of what reasonable time involves factors in police investigations and required procedures, he added.
“This is necessary to balance the defendant’s right to counsel while safeguarding the public interest in ensuring that police investigations are completed,” he said.
The defense attorney tried to ask if his client, who was in court via video link, had seen the written submissions he made.
The prosecution objected to this question before confirming that Seah had not seen any of the submissions. Seah wore a red polo t-shirt and wore a blue mask, his hair looking messy.
Mr Sudheesan said the prosecution failed to explain how the defense seeing Seah for an hour would hamper police investigations.
He said Singapore laws are quite clear, that a defendant’s rights start from the day of his arrest.
“The law should protect everyone equally, but protection is only available if people know the law. If lay people do not know the law, they would be at a disadvantage when it came to helping the police in full investigations,” he said.
He said he would actually help the police with their investigations if his client knew his possible defenses because then the police and prosecutors could make the right charging decision.
“In this case, because it is a charge of murder, the accused must be informed of his rights under article 300 of the penal code, which lists the various exceptions to murder,” said Mr Sudheesan.
The prosecutor replied that Mr. Sudheesan would have time to speak to his client, but not at this stage.
He said there was no legal requirement for a defendant to be told their defenses or have access to counsel before any statement is taken.
He said the prosecution would not object to the request for a bar association rights pamphlet to be given to Seah.
“He’s a 19-year-old boy,” Mr Sudheesan replied. “What’s wrong with him knowing his rights? I say you should allow him to advance our justice system. I’m disappointed the prosecution is against it, that’s all.”
Judge Tay agreed with the prosecution and did not grant access to defense counsel. He ordered Seah to be remanded in custody for a week, but asked the prosecution to ensure that the rights pamphlet was returned to Seah as soon as possible.
THE ACCUSED ASKS PERMISSION TO SPEAK
At the end of the hearing, Seah raised his cuffed hands and asked to speak, saying it was “about my life”.
“I would like to make an unreasonable request, because I have already provided all the evidence, I am sure, and I will cooperate in any way possible…well, the fact is that the unreasonable request has to do with the sentence of my life, it won’t change much from my point of view, because if it’s a life sentence…”
The judge intervened and asked Seah to stop as he might address issues unsuitable to be raised in open court at this early stage.
His case will be heard again on October 20.
If convicted of murder, he could be sentenced to death.