Kevin Morais Murder Trial: Stench hits courtroom as evidence is presented

KUALA LUMPUR: The overwhelming stench inside the courtroom was the highlight on the second day of the murder trial of deputy public prosecutor Datuk Anthony Kevin Morais as evidence and exhibits were presented for identification before judge Datuk Azman Abdullah.

A total 59 items were brought into the High Court by the prosecution's ninth witness Nor Aidora Saedon, a chemist attached to the Forensic Unit of the Chemistry Department.

She testified that many of the items presented had blood stains including a pair of jeans, socks, wire, long sleeved shirt, cufflinks, t-shirt, ring, waist belt, men's belt, ring, necklace and others.

Though all of the items were sealed firmly in large envelopes and plastic wraps, the stench forced those in the public gallery to wear face masks while some left the room.

Realising the uncomfortable situation, Azman allowed the request by the prosecution team's Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin to unseal a pack, containing a gunny sack soaked in blood allegedly used to stuff Kevin Morais' body after he was murdered, outside of the courtroom.

Donning a face mask, Azman viewed the evidence in the hallway as Nor Aidora unwrapped the seal while the media, family members of the accused, defence counsel and prosecution team were also in attendance.

From the witness stand, Nor Aidora confirmed that the probability DNA kinship between Datuk Richard Dilaan Morais and his brother David Ramesh Morais was very close to 100%.

Answering a question from Wan Shahruddin on the results and interpretation that both are siblings, she replied: "On comparing the DNA profiles obtained, I found that the 'W9(a)' and bone specimen 'W9(c)' both labelled 'unknown' is the biological sibling of the owner of the bloodstained specimens 'W23' (labelled David Ramesh Morais) and 'W24' (labelled Richard Dilaan Morais)."

She explained that the probability of kinship as calculated based on the Malaysian Malay, Chinese and Indian population database is 99.9%.
Nor Aidora added that a foreign DNA was found in bloodstains on the wire which was marked as exhibit "W10".
"It is a mixed DNA profile of two individuals. It is different from the DNA obtained from biological siblings of Kevin Morais — David Ramesh and Richard Dilaan, thus indicating that the DNA identified originated from a different source," she said.
"I identified the source of the other contributor as 'Male 1."
The witness from the Chemistry Department will continue to testify tomorrow.
Meanwhile, one of the seven men accused of the murder told the court that Kevin's brother, Richard, made a death threat during the lunch break on the first day of the trial.
S. Ravi Chandaran, 45, claimed that Richard made a "chop-off" hand gesture at his neck from the gallery, directly pointing at the accused.
Lawyer V. Rajehgopal , representing Ravi, requested for the court to allow his client to lodge a police report on the threat.
Justice Azman asked police to accommodate the request.
During the opening statement, DPP Datuk Abdul Razak Musa said the team would furnish strong evidence to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the seven accused abetted and murdered Kevin Morais.

Army doctor and pathologist Dr K. Kunaseegaran, 52, together with six others - G. Gunasekaran, 43; R. Dinishwaran, 23; A. Thinesh Kumar, 22; M. Vishwanath, 25; S. Nimalan, 22; and S. Ravichandaran, 34, had pleaded not guilty when charged on Jan 27.

The six are facing death penalty if convicted under Section 302 of the Penal Code, while Kunaseegaran, had pleaded not guilty to abetting the six men in murdering the deputy public prosecutor.

They allegedly committed the offence between 7am and 8pm on Sept 4 last year between Jalan Dutamas Raya Sentul and No. 1 Jalan USJ1/6D, Subang Jaya.