BUKIT MERTAJAM – The magistrates’ court here today ordered a former salon worker to enter his defence on a charge of reckless driving, resulting in the death of a college student, on Penang Bridge two years ago.
Judge Ahzal Fariz Ahmad Khairuddin, acting as magistrate, issued the order to M. Vaitheswaran, 23, after finding that the prosecution established a prima facie case and raised reasonable doubt.
“The court is satisfied that the prosecution has succeeded in raising reasonable doubt in the case. Therefore, the court orders the accused to defend himself.”
He set October 28 and 29 for the defence proceedings.
During the prosecution’s case, a total of 12 witnesses were called to testify.
Vaitheswaran’s lawyer K. Paramanathan said he will call three witnesses, namely the accused, a public witness, and a medical specialist from Seberang Jaya Hospital.
“Vaitheswaran will give a sworn statement from the witness stand, and we hope everything will go smoothly.”
State prosecution director Datuk Khairul Anuar Abdul Halim and deputy public prosecutor Mohammad Nazri Abdul Rahim prosecuted.
Vaitheswaran was charged with reckless endangerment resulting in the death of Moey Yun Peng after a sports utility vehicle driven by the latter plummeted off Penang Bridge and into the sea following a collision with the car driven by the accused on January 20, 2019.
He was charged under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which carries a maximum jail term of 10 years, a fine of up to RM20,000, and liable to the disqualification of the accused’s driving licence for not more than three years from the date of conviction, if found guilty.
Moey’s body, which was trapped in the SUV, was recovered on the third day of search operations. – The Vibes, September 29, 2021
