ALOR STAR: A 33-year-old aluminium welder claimed trial against charges of unintentionally causing the death of his would-be robber during a high-speed chase in Kuala Kedah on March 19.
Han Boon Hou pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him before magistrate Siti Norhidayah Mohd Noor at the Alor Star magistrate's court here today.
According to the charge, Han caused the death of Mohd Shazwan Idzauddin Ishak, 29, by a negligent or careless act behind a bank in Kuala Kedah at 6.39am on March 19.
The charges were framed under Section 304(a) of the Penal Code for culpable homicide, which carries a penalty of imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with a fine, or both.
Deputy public prosecutor J. Banusha proposed bail of RM15,000, while defence lawyer Lim Wei Yong requested that be set at RM1,500.
The court granted bail at RM3,000 with one surety, along with the condition that Han reports to the nearest police station monthly.
The court set May 19 for mention pending post-mortem examination results.
The accused posted bail.
It had been reported on March 19 that a suspected robber was killed on the spot when his motorcycle was mowed down by his would-be victim's car during a high-speed chase in Kuala Kedah.
Meanwhile at the Sessions Court, the three would-be robbers in the same case, who including the deceased, were charged for gang robbery.
The two living accused, Muhammad Zaki Zabani Osman, 28, and Zazimi Hamid, 41, pleaded not guilty before Judge Noor Zaihan Mohamad Ali.
According to the charge sheet, the trio attempted to rob Han of his cash at the same location and time.
The charge was framed under Section 395 of the Penal Code which provides for a maximum penalty of 20 years' imprisonment and whipping, if convicted.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Farhanah Fuad Mohamad Faiz prosecuted, while the accused were unrepresented.
The court set April 28 for mention.