Man Finally Sees Justice Over Son's Death

January 22, 2010 20:09 PM

Man Finally Sees Justice Over Son's Death

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 22 (Bernama) -- A construction worker wanted justice over his son's death.

So, for the past three years, Soy Chew Seng, 54, never missed a day of the trial of Chin Choon Keat -- the man charged with his son's manslaughter.

On Friday, the grieving father can finally look forward to resuming his normal life after the Sessions Court sentenced 32-year-old Choon Keat to 12 years' jail for causing the death of Soy's son, Chaan Wei, in 2006.

When the sentence was pronounced to begin Friday, Soy rushed towards Deputy Public Prosecutor Geethan Ram Vincent to confirm the verdict delivered by the judge, Mohamad Sekeri Mamat.

"I am happy with the court decision. Now, I can go on with my life and take care of my three other children," the long-suffering father told reporters.

On Dec 22, last year, Choon Keat's younger brother, Choon Mun, 30, received a 30-day jail sentence and fined RM1,000 when he pleaded guilty to causing hurt to Chaan Wei.

In his judgement, Mohamad Sekeri said the court found Choon Keat guilty as he had chosen to remain silent and failed to raise any doubt in the prosecution's case.

The judge also did not allow his counsel, Thong Seng Kong, to stay the sentence and told him to file a formal application for the court to consider.

Choon Keat was charged with the manslaughter of Chaan Wei, 27, who was his friend, at 2-6-6 Kondo Prisma Cheras, Taman Midah Cheras, about 3pm on Jan 24, 2006.

According to the facts of the case, the brothers had a misunderstading over some money owed by the victim who worked with his mother in running a transport business.

On the day of incident, the duo had invited the victim to their house and while discussing how to settle the issue, Choon Keat attacked the victim with a torchlight and he died later in the hospital.

In mitigation, Choon Keat's counsel told the court that he had been under remand for nearly 10 months before his bail was posted, and was remorseful over his act.

The court heard that Choon Keat was now living with his mother after he and his wife parted ways.

Geethan submitted that the victim was defenceless during the attack and Choon Keat's action had caused the victim's family to suffer in silence.

-- BERNAMA