PUTRAJAYA: A 41-year-old jobless man has failed in his final bid to overturn his 35-year jail term and 24 strokes of the rotan for murdering his younger brother and aunt nine years ago.
A three-member bench led by Datuk Nordin Hassan unanimously dismissed the final appeal of Azman Wahab to set aside his conviction and sentence, which were affirmed by the Court of Appeal on Nov 14 last year.
“The court rejects the appellant’s application to introduce new evidence. The appeal to set aside the conviction and sentence is dismissed,” said Nordin.
Other members of the bench were Datuk Seri Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera and Tan Sri Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh.
Earlier, Azman’s counsel, Ai Cha Ran, sought to adduce three case-related reports as fresh evidence to support the appeal.
However, deputy public prosecutor Siti Rafidah Zainuddin objected, arguing that the reports could not be considered new as they had already been tendered during the trial.
On Aug 25, 2022, the Alor Setar High Court convicted Azman of culpable homicide not amounting to murder under Section 304(b) of the Penal Code and sentenced him to 16 years’ jail.
However, on Nov 14, 2024, the Court of Appeal allowed the prosecution’s appeal, set aside the High Court ruling, and convicted Azman of murder after finding merit in the prosecution’s arguments.
Azman was found guilty of murdering his younger brother, Muhammad Azwan, 26, in the living room of their home in Kampung Lanai, Parit Panjang, Baling, Kedah, at 11am on Oct 2, 2016.
He was also convicted of murdering his aunt, Rokiah Abdullah, 54, outside the same house at 11.10am the same day.
The offences fall under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which provides for the death penalty or imprisonment of between 30 and 40 years, along with up to 12 strokes of the rotan if the accused is not sentenced to death.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
