KUALA LUMPUR: The seventh accused on the murder of deputy public prosecutor Datuk Anthony Kevin Morais said his life was in danger after he testified at the High Court today.
S. Ravichandran, 45, even tried to talk to judge Datuk Azman Abdullah after taking his oath in the witness stand. His application, however, was denied by the court.
“I would like to talk with the judge… I am not sure if I am still alive after testifying in court today… this would be my last testimony,” he said.
Azman, however, ordered the defendant, who is also sixth defend witness, to liaise with lawyer V. Rajehgopal for any enquiries.
Ravichandran during examination-in-chief by his counsel said he went to condominium at Jalan Dutamas on Sept 3, 2015 to accompany his friend G. Gunasekaran, also known as ‘Jay’ to collect the latter’s debt.
“Jay told me at Restoran Syed Bistro in Petaling Jaya that he needed to collect his money from his ‘client’ who lives at the premises.
“I asked him, why (do) we need to be there at 6am? and he said the ‘client’ left his house early,” he said, adding that other accused, namely, S. Nimalan, R. Dineshwaran, A. K. Thinesh Kumar, and M. Vishwanath were also at the restaurant.
Ravichandran said all of them went to the condominium in two vehicles - Ravichandaran and Jay were riding in a Proton Perdana, while Nimalan, Dineshwaran, Thinesh Kumar, and Vishwanath in a Mitsubishi Triton.
“We arrived at the entrance at 7am and waited for the client in our cars.
“I spoke with Jay and asked him (if he) is wealthy enough to lend his money to someone who lived in this condominium.
“I also asked him how much the ‘client’ owed him money… but he (Jay) refused to answer my questions,” he said.
Ravichandran said they waited for 15 minutes and left the scene as they failed to meet the client.
Dinishwaran, 23, Thinesh Kumar, 22, Vishwanath, 25, Nimalan, 22, and Ravichandran, were jointly-charged with murdering Morais, 55, between 7am and 8pm on Sept 4, 2015, while the victim was on his way from Jalan Dutamas Raya Sentul to No. 1 Jalan USJ1/6D, Subang Jaya.
They face the mandatory death sentence upon conviction.
Dr. R. Kunaseegaran, 54, is charged with abetting in the murder of Morais.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Saiful Edris Zainuddin is prosecuting while the accused are represented by counsel M. Manoharan, Rajehgopal and G. Sivakumar.
Trial continues tomorrow morning.