LAHAD DATU: A mother of two shed tears after the Sessions Court today freed her of a charge of causing her husband's death three years ago.
Almaida Abdullah Alwi, a Filipina, had been in custody following the death of her Malaysian husband, Raslan Jaya, 33, on May 24, 2019.
Raslan, who was stabbed at a rented room in Felda Sahabat 7, near here, had later died at the Lahad Datu Hospital, which led to Almaida, who works as a housekeeper, being arrested and prosecuted.
Judge Zaini Fishir @ Fisal ordered Almaida, 29, to be acquitted and discharged after finding that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case.
The court, among others, held that there was a break of the chain of evidence on the knife and the absence of forensic evidence on the said knife to link the same with the deceased and the accused.
The court also noted the absence of a motive in the case and that there was an issue with the length of time from when the deceased was stabbed to his death at the Lahad Datu Hospital.
"As such, the prosecution was unable to establish a prima facie case against the accused under the said charge preferred. The accused is granted an order of acquittal and discharge under the same," said the judge.
Almaida could be seen crying as the judge read out the verdict.
The offence under Section 304(a) of the Penal Code carries a jail term of up to 30 years and a fine, upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Lim Sze Chuen had called 19 witnesses to testify against Almaida during the hearing.
Counsels Ram Singh, Kamarudin Mohmad Chinki, Kimberly Ye and Chen Wen Jye represented the accused.