KUCHING: The Federal Court has amended a life imprisonment sentence to 33 years in jail for a local man guilty of murdering an elderly woman 21 years ago.
A three-judge panel led by Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Sebli, and Datuk Mary Tan Thiam Suan unanimously decided on the reduction of sentence against Peter Merupi, 48, after allowing his request for a review yesterday (Mar 6).
The appellant, originally from Sekau, Sibu, and a former labourer transporting timber, had been serving a prison sentence for 21 years since the date of his arrest on Nov 25, 2004.
Merupi was previously sentenced to death but commuted to life imprisonment after the Sarawak Governor approved the appellant’s request for clemency on Jan 27, 2017.
On Sept 5, 2008, the Kuching High Court imposed the death penalty after finding Merupi guilty of the murdering a 64-year-old elderly woman in a rented room at Jalan Ang Cheng Ho around 2am on Mar 9, 2003.
He was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries either the death penalty or a maximum 40-year imprisonment and liable to at least 12 lashes of the cane.
Based on the facts of the case, a couple, renting a room, saw the appellant leaving the victim’s room in a suspicious manner.
When asked about his presence at the premises, Merupi, who appeared panicked, only replied that he was there to retrieve belongings.
Later, the witnesses observed several bloodstains besides detecting the smell of blood in the bathroom.
The couple realised something had happened and alerted the police, which led to the discovery of the victim’s body.
The appellant was eventually apprehended several months after the incident on Nov 25, 2004.
Deputy public prosecutor Mangaiakarasi Krishnan prosecuted the case while the appellant was represented by court-appointed counsels Simon Siah and Moh Ung Kieng.
