KUCHING: Three men were charged with murdering their friend, Damian, whom they threw into a ditch at the Sarawak Tropical Peat Research Institute here last July 15.
They face the mandatory death sentence if convicted under Section 302 of the Penal Code.
The three — Keithson Imang Tuba aged 19, Ryan Mccallister Raedy, 19, and Raymondson Ding Tuba, 24 — were brought to Samarahan Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning.
No plea was taken from them and Magistrate Afidah Abdul Rahman fixed September 19 for case management.
Two other suspects who were arrested together with the three accused were released on bail in the sum of RM5,000 with one surety each.
Damien, 20, was said to be drinking with his friends in a house in Kampung Landeh on July 15.
At about 9pm after drinking for hours, they were involved in a quarrel. It was alleged that Damien was smashed with helmets. His hands were tied and he was thrown into a ditch face down.
Damien was born to Indonesian parents and adopted by a local family when young.