EMOTIONS RUN HIGH
Tempers flare at murder trial of DPP Datuk Kevin Morais.
Ask Dr Kuna ... My brother was in a state beyond recognition; what do you expect after being in cement for 12 days?
datuk richard Morais
KUALA LUMPUR: Tempers ran high at the murder trial of deputy public prosecutor Datuk Anthony Kevin Morais, with his younger brother Datuk Richard Morais snapping at the man accused of the murder.
Music company director Richard was the first witness called to testify against army pathologist Colonel Dr R. Kunaseegaran, 53, who stands accused of colluding to murder Kevin along with six others.
Asked by the prosecution about the state of his brother’s remains, which were found in a cemented drum, Richard said: “Ask Dr Kuna,” prompting defence lawyer Datuk N. Sivananthan to object.
Justice Azman Abdullah pointed out that emotions could get “a little high” as Richard was understandably upset over his brother’s death. The judge nevertheless ordered the grieving brother to answer civilly.
“My brother was in a state beyond recognition; what do you expect after being in cement for 12 days?” said Richard, after he was told to answer again.
Sivananthan raised questions over Richard’s character, bringing up how he was recently fined RM2,000 for criminal intimidation and had a few more similar cases in which he was discharged not amounting to an acquittal.
To this, Richard scolded the lawyer and told him “focus on the case at hand, and not to beat around the bush”.
Sivananthan also asked if there was a connection between Kevin’s murder and the rumour that he had been handling the investigations of the 1Malaysia Development Board (1MDB) case in relation to the Prime Minister.
Richard replied that he had no knowledge of the cases Kevin handled as a prosecutor, but believed any such 1MDB theories were “rubbish and unrelated”.
During the trial, the accused were allowed to have their handcuffs removed at the request of their lawyers for the sake of comfort.
The High Court in Kuala Lumpur was filled to the brim, with three additional benches provided to accommodate the many family members and reporters.
Family members of the accused were later seen shaking hands with and hugging them before they were led back to the holding cells.
On Jan 27, the six men – G. Gunasekaran, 48; R. Dinishwaran, 24; A. K. Thinesh Kumar, 23; M. Vishwanath, 26; S. Nimalan, 23; and S. Ravichandaran, 35 – claimed trial to charges of murdering Kevin.
They are accused of committing the offence between 7am and 8pm on Sept 4, 2015, between Jalan Dutamas Raya Sentul and No. 1 Jalan USJ1/6D, Subang Jaya.
Kunaseegaran pleaded not guilty to abetting the six in the murder.
They face the mandatory death penalty if convicted under Section 302 of the Penal Code.
Kevin was reported missing on Sept 4 last year.
He was last seen leaving his apartment at Menara Duta here in a Proton Perdana car bearing the registration number WA6264Q.
His remains were found in a cemented drum at Persiaran Subang Mewah, Subang Jaya, near here on Sept 16 last year.
Counsel Sivananthan acted for Kunaseegaran, while Gunasekaran, Vishwanath, Nimalan and Ravichandaran were defended by counsel V. Rajehgopal, and Dinishwaran and Thinesh Kumar by M. Manoharan.
The trial continues today.