GEORGE TOWN: A 37-year-old bodyguard was charged at three separate courts here today with three counts of murder, five counts of attempted murder and one count of causing injury.
Ja'afar Halid was accused of committing the crimes near the Penang Bridge exit at Lebuhraya Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu on Dec 1, between 7.15pm and 7.30pm.
In the first court, Ja'afar was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code with the murder of Ong Teik Kwong, 32, Choi Hon Ming, 32 and Senthil Murugiah, 38.
He allegedly shot, Ong at the back of his head, Choi at his left chest and right thigh, and Senthil at his left chest, with a Glock 19.
Ja'afar merely nodded when the charge was read before Magistrate Mohamad Amin Shahul Hamid.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurul Fatin Hussin applied for the accused to be sent for psychiatric evaluation.
Amin allowed the application and set Jan 16 for mention.
In the second court, Ja'afar was charged under Section 307 of the Penal Code with attempting to murder, Muhamad Amirul Amin Mohamad Amer, 28, Nurul Huda Ab Aziz, 38, Arivani Krishnan, 33, Puah Bee Joo, 32 and Lee Hong Boon, 32, with a Glock 19.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurul Huda Idris prosecuted.
Ja'afar, who appeared unfazed pleaded guilty to the charges read out before Sessions Judge Irwan Suainbon.
Irwan said even though the accused pleaded guilty, the court would not record his plea pending a psychiatric evaluation of the accused.
He order the accused to be sent to Hospital Bahagia for one month and set Jan 16 for mention.
In the third court, Ja'afar was charged under Section 324 of the Penal Code with injuring Lim Boon Leng, 32 by hitting him on the head with Glock 19.
He pleaded guilty to the charge read out before Sessions Judge Sharifah Izura Syed Mashor.
Nurul Huda prosecuted.
Sharifah, however, said the accused's plea would not be recorded pending a psychiatric evaluation.
She set Jan 16 for mention.