KUCHING: A 23-year-old woman escaped the gallows after her murder charge was reduced to concealment of birth by secret disposal of her baby’s body.
RELEASED ON BAIL: Menti being escorted to the courthouse’s temporary cell by policewomen.
Menti Muda from Kampung Mawang, Simunjan was tentatively charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code which carries a mandatory death sentence upon conviction.
The key prosecutor Stella Augustine Druce applied to drop the tentative charge and was allowed by the magistrates’ court.
Concealment of birth comes under Section 318 of the Penal Code which carries a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment or with fine or both upon conviction.
Yesterday, she appeared before Magistrate Syafiza Abdul Razak Tready who released her on RM3,000 cash bail, pending trial on Jan 26 and 27 next year.
However, the plea was yet to be made as she had to seek her parents’ advice first.
Menti who worked as a waitress at a coffee shop in Stutong allegedly committed the offence between 12.30 and 2.30am in March this year.
The baby was found inside a monsoon drain at Stutong. The accused was arrested a day after the baby’s body was found in the drain as highlighted in the media.
Her accomplice, who is said to be her boyfriend, is still at large. He was believed to be a construction worker staying near Stutong.
Inspector Ahmad Alias prosecuted and Menti was not represented by any lawyer.