KOTA KINABALU: The trial of a local man charged with the murder of his pregnant wife last year, started at the High Court here yesterday with the prosecution expected to call nine witnesses.
TRIAL CONTINUES: Jaimal (right) leaving the courtroom.
Self-employed Jaimal Abdul Sarin, 29, allegedly murdered his 30-year-old wife Norhaliah Hatibil who is a Filipina, at Kampung Kobunggi, Kerakit in Pulau Banggi, Kudat between 4pm and 6pm on Nov 25, 2009.
He is liable to the mandatory death sentence if found guilty of the alleged offence under Section 302 of the Penal Code.
Sergeant Che Mahaleng Che Sho told judge Datuk Abdul Rahman Sebli that on Nov 25, 2009, he was informed by Lance Corporal Edward Jateng about a police report on a murder case which occurred at the village following a fight between a husband and a wife.
After receiving the information, the Kerakit police station chief said he contacted the Kudat police station’s Criminal Investigation Department head ASP Peter and informed him about the matter.
“He (Peter) ordered me to go to the scene to carry out investigations and also to take pictures of the scene,” Che Mahaleng said.
The prosecution’s third witness further said during examination-in-chief by senior federal counsel Salim Soib Ahmad, that he and three other police personnel went to the scene at 7.20pm and reached there 20 minutes later.
“When I reached the scene, I found that the suspect known as Jaimal Abdul Sarin, was detained by the public with both hands tied up.
“I also noticed that the suspect’s right hand was injured.
“After that, I ordered my personnel and several villagers to guard the suspect,” he said, adding that he and other villagers, including Tingkahan Tuah, went to a house, which belonged to the suspect to carry out investigations.
He said he had to use a torchlight to carry out the investigations as the house was not installed with electricity.
While inspecting the house, Che Mahaleng said he found the victim, Norhaliah, lying on the floor half-naked.
“Her face and head were injured due to being hit by a hard object.
“I also found the nipple of her right breast was cut by the suspect.
“After that, I ordered my personnel to take 12 pictures at the scene,” he said.
He said he had tried to locate the weapon believed to have been used by the suspect but failed as it was raining and dark.
Che Mahaleng said he and his personnel brought Norhaliah’s body and the suspect to the Kerakit police station and informed
Peter and investigating officer Inspector Suhaimi of the results of his investigations.
He added that Norhaliah’s body was sent to Kudat hospital for a post-mortem on Nov 26, 2009 while the suspect was detained at the Kudat police station on the same day.
When asked by Salim whether the suspect he had arrested on that day was present in court, the witness said, “Yes” and later pointed to the accused who was seated at the accused’s dock.
He told the court that he made a report pertaining to the accused’s arrest.
To another question from Salim, Che Mahaleng said on Nov 26, 2009, he and Peter with several other police personnel went to the scene once again.
Meanwhile, during cross-examination by Jaimal’s counsel Wotti Jinius, Che Mahaleng told the court that the accused was arrested several times for sniffing glue and disturbing the public.
He said he did receive reports from the public about the accused sniffing glue and he had been sent to Mesra Hospital in Bukit Padang several times prior to the accused’s arrest for the alleged murder of his wife.
Earlier, Edward told the court that while he was on duty at the information counter at the Kerakit police station on Nov 25, 2009, he received a call from Tingkahan at 7.05pm informing him about a fight between a couple at Kampung Kobunggi, Kerakit.
After receiving the call, Edward who was the prosecution’s second witness, said that he informed Sergeant Mahalin of the matter and later lodged a police report.
The trial continues today.