Case management of murder case March 5

SIBU: Widow of slain bank manager Stephen Wong was produced i n the High Court here yesterday to face a charge of abetting the murder of her husband. She pleaded not guilty.

Christine Ling Hang Tsyr, 34, was seen shaking her head by way of entering her plea of not guilty to the charge.

High Court Judge Supang Lian fixed the case management on March 5, to be heard before High Court Judge Datuk Norcahaya Arshad from Kota Kinabalu.

According to the amended charge, she was said to have, together with one person who is still at large, namely Tiong King Guan, in furtherance of common intention, by way of conspiracy, abetted one Ling Hoe Ing in the commission of murder of one Wong Jing Kui, which was committed in consequence of her abetment.

The offence was said to have taken place at a house in Ulu Sg Merah at about 1.30am on June 14, 2012.

On Feb 10, the Court of Appeal in Kuching ordered Christine and Tiong charged with abetting the murder of Stephen Wong about three years ago be reinstated.

Following the order, the case was brought up at the High Court here yesterday for mention.

Christine ( wife of Stephen Wong) and Tiong, 29, had earlier been discharged not amounting to acquittal from a charge of abetting the murder of Wong.

Tiong, the first respondent was absent during the ruling at the Court of Appeal then, and a warrant of arrest was issued against him while Christine was rearrested and ordered to be remanded in prison pending the completion of the case as the allegation framed under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which provides for a mandatory death sentence, is not bailable.

Christine and Tiong were originally charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code with another person, Hoe Ing, in Sibu High Court where their charge was later reduced to Section 304(a) of the Penal Code for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Hoe Ing, 27, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 16 years in jail.

Christine and Tiong had the charge against them reduced from culpable homicide not amounting to murder to abetting by a Sessions Court, which later discharged them.

The prosecution appealed against the discharge.

Christine was represented by Anthony Tai, Roger Chin and Sempurai Petrus while Orlando Chua represented Tiong.

Christine, with her hair down, being led out of the court after the mention of the case.

The victim’s mother being calmed down by her family members and relative outside the court after the proceeding.