IPOH: The High Court judge presiding over the murder trial of Muhammad Zaharif Affendi Muhd Zamrie today reprimanded a lawyer holding a watching brief for the family of the deceased Form Five student.
Judge Datuk Bhupindar Singh Gucharan Singh Preet sternly warned Syaheera Rosli, a representative from Hafarizam Wan & Aisha Mubarak Advocates and Solicitors, for her inconsistent attendance during the trial proceedings.
The trial has been scheduled to run on the following dates: Nov 4–8, Nov 11–15, Dec 2–6, Dec 9–13, Jan 6–10, and Jan 13–17.
"You suddenly appear — what are you even here to observe? If you want to attend the trial, you must follow the schedule. Don't show up after 27 witnesses have already testified.
"Don't come to court as you please. If you intend to observe, do so according to the trial schedule. One moment you're here, the next you're not, and then you disappear altogether.
"I don't know what you're observing if you don't attend court. Are you just reading reports on the Internet or following media coverage? Is that it? How many witnesses have testified so far — do you even know?" he asked.
In response, Syaheera apologised to the court, but the judge insisted that her apology should be directed to the family who had engaged her services.
"There's no need to apologise to me. Apologise to the people who appointed you because you've failed to fulfil your responsibilities as their observing lawyer.
"Didn't you learn courtroom ethics before practising? Does the court need to reprimand you before you start paying attention? Everyone has their duties — do yours," he added.
Bhupindar then questioned Syaheera about the number of witnesses who had testified, how many days the trial had been ongoing, and the identity of the prosecution witness for the day. She admitted that she did not know the answers.
Syaheera then assured the court that, moving forward, she would attend all trial proceedings without fail.
"Starting today, Your Honor, I will attend every trial," she said.
On Dec 17 last year, lawyer Datuk Wan Azmir Wan Majid came forward to hold a watching brief on behalf of the victim's family. He was seen attending the trial on Nov 4 but did not attend thereafter.
According to the charge, Deputy Superintendent Mohd Nazri Abdul Razak, 45, is accused of murdering Zaharif, 17, at Jalan Taman Jati 1 near Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Jati, between 11.45am and 12.32pm on Dec 15, 2023.
The senior police officer is charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which provides for the death penalty or imprisonment between 30 to 40 years, along with a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane if convicted.
Deputy public prosecutor Afzainizam Abdul Aziz led the prosecution, supported by Nasrul Hadi Abdul Ghani, V. Suloshani and Low Qin Hui.
The accused was represented by M. Athimulan, alongside Datuk Mior Faridalathrash Wahid and Aiman Hakim Kamaruzzaman.