Upheld: Death sentence on man who murdered veterinary services director

PUTRAJAYA: A former security guard lost his final appeal at the Federal Court to set aside his conviction and death sentence for the murder of the Perak veterinary services department deputy director in 2011.
A five-man bench led by Chief Justice Tun Md Raus Sharif unanimously dismissed Syahmie Hassan's appeal today after ruling there was no reason for the court to disturb the findings of the High Court and Court of Appeal.
He said the submission raised by Syahmie's counsel, Hisyam Teh Poh Teik was technical in nature and the court was not convinced.
Md Raus said there was no need for deputy public prosecutor Faizah Mohd Salleh to deliver her oral submission.
On July 31, 2015, Syahmie, 27, was found guilty and sentenced to death by the High Court in Ipoh for killing Dr Rohani Kasim, 38, at her apartment in Persiaran Lembah Perpaduan, Permai Lake View in Ulu Kinta, Perak.
The offence occurred between 6pm and 7.30pm on Aug 3, 2011.
He lost his appeal at the Court of Appeal, which was dismissed on May 18, 2016.
Syahmie, who was wearing white and red prison clothes, appeared calm when the court delivered the decision.
Evidence revealed that Syahmie had broken into Rohani's apartment with the intention of robbing her. He waited for her to return home after failing to find any valuables.
In the struggle that ensued, Rohani bit the assailant's finger and he pushed her away, causing her to fall and knock her head on a table.
Realising the deputy director was still alive, Syahmie proceeded to strangle her, using a curtain cloth until she stopped breathing.
The accused also copulated with the body.
Earlier, Hisyam submitted the defence had served a notice under Section 399 of the Criminal Procedure Code for the prosecution to call Dr Swaran Singh, a doctor from Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta as a witness.
He said it was an obligation for the prosecution to produce the witness, adding that the prosecution's failure to do so had compromised the defence case and deprived his client of a fair trial.
Syahmie has one last option left, which is to appeal to the Pardons Board. — Bernama