Crime: Choo Gaik Yap Kidnap, Rape & Murder - Suspect sentenced to death

An update on this 9-year-old case. Justice sure takes it's time...

Earlier post in 2013: http://year1malaysia.blogspot.com/2013/06/crime-choo-gaik-yap-kidnap-rape-murder.html

Earlier post in 2014: http://year1malaysia.blogspot.com/2014/10/crime-choo-gaik-yap-kidnap-rape-murder.html

Businessman sentenced to death for 2006 murder

ALOR SETAR: A 34-year old businessman, Shahril Jaafar was sentenced to death this Sunday for the 2006 murder of Chee Gaik Yap.

Shahril remained calm when the judgement was delivered by Judicial Commissioner Datuk Mohd Zaki Abdul Wahab.

Mohd Zaki said the defence failed to raised reasonable doubt in the case.

"I have no choice but to sentence you with the death penalty, the only punishment as stipulated in Section 302 of the Penal Code," he said.

Chee Gaik Yap

Chee, a Universiti Utara Malaysia graduate, was raped and her body dumped at the housing estate after being abducted while she was jogging in the neighbourhood.

She was believed to have been tailed by her assailant while jogging in the neighbourhood.

The public gallery was packed with friends and families of the victims and accused, as well as pressmen.

Shahril was charged with the murder of marketing executive Chee, 25, near the Cinta Sayang Club in Taman Ria Jaya, Sungai Petani, between 5.30pm Jan 14 and 3.05am Jan 15, 2006.

On June 25, 2013, the Alor Setar High Court acquitted and discharged Shahril from a charge of murdering Chee after finding that the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case.

However on Oct 13 last year, a Court of Appeal panel led by Justice Linton Albert, unanimously set aside the High Court’s decision.

The case was re-mentioned on Oct 19 at Alor Setar High Court, with the prosecution team led by Kedah prosecution unit head Salim Soib while Shahril was represented by Shamsul Sulaiman.

Source: http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/08/09/businessman-death-marketing/

Crime: Choo Gaik Yap Kidnap, Rape & Murder - Accused to face full trial

It took eight years for a full trial to be called. It certainly didn't help that the accused managed to escape the authorities and went into hiding in Australia for a few years. A country can have the best laws, but it's always the enforcement that matters.

Previous post:
http://year1malaysia.blogspot.com/2013/06/crime-choo-gaik-yap-kidnap-rape-murder.html

2015 UPDATE: http://year1malaysia.blogspot.com/2015/08/crime-choo-gaik-yap-kidnap-rape-murder.html

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Car salesman told to enter defence in rape and murder of UUM grad 

PUTRAJAYA: The man accused of the death of Chee Gaik Yap, who was found raped and murdered in Alor Setar eight years ago, will now face a full trial before the High Court there.

The Court of Appeal panel led by Justice Linton Albert unanimously set aside car salesman Shahril Jaafar's acquittal and discharge, and ordered he enter defence.

"We order that he (Shahril) also be placed in remand forthwith," said Justice Linton on Monday.

Chee Gaik Yap's father, Chee Ah Sau told reporters after the case that he was relieved his daughter's case would now be heard in full.

The three-man panel, which included Justices Mohtarudin Baki and Abdul Rahman Sebli set Oct 19 for mention of the case before the Alor Setar High Court.

Gaik Yap's father Chee Ah Sau, who attended the proceedings, told reporters he was relieved that the case would finally be heard in full.

On June 25, the Alor Setar High Court acquitted and discharged Shahril of murdering Chee after finding that the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case.

Shahril, 33, had been charged with the murder that took place between 5.30pm on Jan 14, 2006, and 3.05am on Jan 15, 2006, near the Cinta Sayang Club in Taman Ria Jaya, Sungai Petani.

Gaik Yap, a marketing executive and Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) graduate, was believed to have been tailed by her assailant while jogging in the neighbourhood of Taman Ria Jaya in Sungai Petani.

She was kidnapped, raped and killed before her body was dumped at the housing estate.

- http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/10/13/Court-Car-salesman-told-to-enter-defence-in-rape-and-murder-case/