Aug 24, 2011 - Straits Times
A 36-year-old man was sentenced to 15 years in jail and 12 strokes of the cane on Wednesday for stabbing another man to death over a pushing incident.
In passing the sentence, Justice Steven Chong said that Tan Keng Huat had committed an 'irrational act' that resulted in a 'completely unnecessary loss of a life'.
In June 2009, Tan, who was unemployed, had stabbed Mr John Vettamooto in the chest with a diving knife after the latter had an argument with his older brother, Mr Tan Thian Chye, 41.
The elder Tan had bumped into Mr Vettamooto at the foot of the block of flats where he lived in Redhill Close, and both had traded punches. During the fight, Mr Vettamooto yanked off Thian Chye's ivory necklace and threw it on the floor.
How did the diving knife appear in the scene? Was it something ordinarily lying around?
Was it really "an irrational act" that resulted in a "completely uncecessary loss of a life".
But I am satisfied with the 15 year jail sentence + 12 strokes of the cane.
I guess they can't prove beyond a reasonable doubt a case for murder.
The elder Tan had bumped into Mr Vettamooto at the foot of the block of flats where he lived in Redhill Close, and both had traded punches. During the fight, Mr Vettamooto yanked off Thian Chye's ivory necklace and threw it on the floor
mod no do job, so i have to do.
no mod since all kena ban liao.