KUALA LUMPUR: One of six accused in the murder of deputy public prosecutor Datuk Anthony Kevin Morais was yesterday offered an alternative charge by the prosecution.
However, unemployed G Gunasekaran, 48, pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read out to him before Justice Datuk Azman Abdullah.
According to the alternative charge, Gunasekaran allegedly helped to conceal the body and dispose of the vehicle (WA 6264Q) for S Ravi Chandaran, 45; S Nimalan, 23; A Thinesh Kumar, 26; M. Vishwanath, 26; R Dinishwaran, 24; and pathologist Col Dr K Kunaseegaran, 53, to evade the law.
He stands accused of committing the offence at Jalan Dutamas 1, here towards the oil palm estate in Kampong Sungai Samak, Hutan Melintang, Hilir Perak, Perak between 7am on Sept 4, 2015 and 2am on Sept 5, 2015.
The charge under Section 201 of the Penal Code, carries a maximum jail term of seven years and a fine upon conviction.
Gunasekaran also faces a charge of killing Kevin Morais, under Section 302, which carries the mandatory death sentence upon conviction. Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Abdul Razak Musa said the prosecution would only withdraw the original charge (Section 302) if the accused pleaded guilty to the alternative charge.
Earlier before the alternative charge was offered to Gunasekaran, his lawyer V Rajehgopal withdrew from representing him, citing conflict of interest.
The court set July 12 for case management to enable the accused to engage a new lawyer.
The murder trial entered its 16th day today with the prosecution’s 26th witness Insp Mior Samsul Abdul Rahman from the Police Forensic Audio Video Laboratory Investigation Unit continuing his testimony.
On Jan 27, seven men including a military doctor were charged with involvement in the murder of Kevin Morais, whose remains were located in a drum filled with cement at Persiaran Subang Mewah, Subang Jaya near here, on Sept 16, 2015.
Six of the men, Gunasekaran, Dinishwaran, Thinesh Kumar, Vishwanath, Nimalan, and Ravichandaran claimed trial to murdering Kevin on the way from Jalan Dutamas Raya Sentul to
No 1 Jalan USJ1/6D, Subang Jaya, between 7am and 8pm on Sept 4, 2015. Dr Kunaseegaran claimed trial to conspiring with the six men to kill Kevin, 55, at the same place, date and time. The trial continues on Aug 15. — Bernama