Unemployed man’s final appeal dismissed, maintaining 35-year jail term and 24 cane strokes for 2016 double murder of his younger brother and aunt
PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court today upheld a 35-year prison sentence and 24 strokes of the cane for an unemployed man convicted of killing his younger brother and aunt nine years ago.
A three-judge panel chaired by Justice Datuk Nordin Hassan unanimously dismissed Azman Wahab’s final appeal to overturn his conviction and sentence.
The court also rejected Azman’s application to introduce new evidence in support of his appeal.
Justice Nordin stated the appellant’s appeal to set aside the Court of Appeal’s conviction and sentence was dismissed.
The other judges on the panel were Datuk Seri Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera and Judge Tan Sri Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh.
Azman’s lawyer Ai Cha Ran had requested to submit three case-related reports as new evidence.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Siti Rafidah Zainuddin objected, stating these reports weren’t new evidence as they’d been presented during trial.
The Alor Setar High Court had initially convicted Azman on August 25, 2022, under Section 304(b) of the Penal Code for causing death.
He received a 16-year prison sentence from the High Court.
The Court of Appeal overturned this decision on November 14 last year, allowing the prosecution’s appeal.
The appellate court convicted Azman on the original murder charge under Section 302 of the Penal Code.
Azman was found guilty of killing his 26-year-old brother Muhammad Azwan in their family home in Kampung Lanai, Parit Panjang, Baling, Kedah.
The murder occurred at 11 am on October 2, 2016, in the living room of their residence.
He was also convicted of killing 54-year-old Rokiah Abdullah outside the same house at 11.10 am that same day.
Section 302 of the Penal Code carries either the death penalty or imprisonment between 30 and 40 years with whipping.
The provision allows for whipping not exceeding 12 strokes if the death penalty isn’t imposed. – Bernama
