Kota Kinabalu: The 10th accused in the murder trial of Kolej Vokasional Lahad Datu student Mohamad Nazmie Aizzat Mohd Narul Azwan informed the High Court that he witnessed the victim being scolded and pushed in Dormitory 5 Belian. Despite being present, he was unable to identify the individuals involved due to the darkness in the dormitory.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the accused, serving as the 12th defense witness, admitted during the proceedings before Judge Datuk Duncan Sikodol that he attempted to push the victim on the shoulder but missed. The ongoing trial involves 13 male students, aged between 16 and 19, who face charges under Section 302 of the Penal Code. They are accused of murdering Mohamad Nazmie Aizzat, 17, in Dormitories 7 Resak and 5 Belian at Kolej Vokasional Lahad Datu between the night of March 21 and the morning of March 22.
The 10th accused further testified that he last saw the victim when he attempted to check Mohamad Nazmie Aizzat's pulse in Dormitory 7 Belian. He recounted being awakened around 3 am by the fifth accused to check on the victim, whom he found still breathing at that time.
During cross-examination by deputy public prosecutor Batrisyia Mohd Khusri, the 10th accused explained that he checked the victim's pulse after someone mentioned that Mohamad Nazmie Aizzat appeared unconscious. However, he could not recall who made the remark. When questioned about his feelings upon finding a pulse, he described the victim as appearing to be asleep.
The prosecution suggested that the 10th accused checked the pulse out of concern, a notion he disagreed with, especially since he had previously assaulted the victim. Despite admitting to being close friends with Mohamad Nazmie Aizzat, the accused expressed feeling upset over an alleged theft involving money from the third and fourth accused.
For the prosecution, Deputy Public Prosecutors Nur Nisla Abdul Latif and Ng Juhn Tao joined Batrisyia Mohd Khusri in the case. Defense representation includes lawyers Datuk Ram Singh, Kamarudin Mohmad Chinki, and Chen Wen Jye for eight of the juveniles, while Mohamed Zairi Zainal Abidim, Abdul Ghani Zelika, Vivian Thien, Jhesseny P. Kang, and Kusni Ambotuwo represent the remaining five.