Bandar Utama Murder Case: Suspect Experienced Various Illusions, Mental Illness for 5 Years Without Treatment – Psychiatrist

SHAH ALAM: A psychiatrist told the High Court here that a 15-year-old boy accused of killing his schoolmate at a school in Bandar Utama last year had been suffering from mental illness for five years without receiving treatment.

The boy’s lawyer, Kitson Foong, who briefed the media on the proceedings which were conducted in camera, said the matter was stated by the second defence witness, a psychiatrist and Director of Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta, Dr Ian Lloyd Anthony.

Ian Lloyd testified that the condition, which had never been treated, gradually affected the teenager’s mental state over the years because the illness was left untreated for approximately 60 months.

“The doctor testified that a person suffering from mental illness has a period of 28 months to receive early treatment and medication that can help control the condition and support the recovery process.

“However, in this teenager’s case, the illness was not treated for about 60 months. According to Ian Lloyd, this condition caused his illness to worsen and become more difficult to treat.

“He also said the teenager experienced various illusions. Without treatment, the illness began to show symptoms and became more serious, especially in the mind of a teenager who was 14 years old at the time of the alleged incident.

“Ian Lloyd said the absence of treatment caused the symptoms of the illness to emerge and become increasingly severe,” said Foong.

In his testimony, the psychiatrist explained the scientific definitions of psychosis, schizophrenia and other psychiatric terms, including giving examples of how such conditions could affect a person’s thinking.

“He testified that all these conditions were occurring in the teenager’s mind at the time of the alleged incident,” said Foong.

Ian Lloyd told the court that the teenager had been referred to hospital during proceedings at the Petaling Jaya Magistrates’ Court.

A three-month psychiatric evaluation conducted by Ian Lloyd found that the teenager was fit to stand trial.

Foong said it was still too early to specifically identify the psychiatric disorder suffered by the teenager because the trial is still ongoing and he is still undergoing treatment.

Earlier, Foong said he had delivered the defence’s opening statement, informing the court that the defence would call Ian Lloyd as an expert witness to support the use of the defence of unsoundness of mind under Section 84 of the Penal Code.

Meanwhile, Foong said the male teenager apologised for his actions by choosing to give an unsworn statement, meaning he would not be cross-examined by the prosecution.

Earlier, Judge Adlin Abdul Majid ordered the teenager to enter his defence against the charge of killing his schoolmate in the incident that occurred last year.

The judge made that decision after finding that the prosecution had succeeded in proving a prima facie case against the teenager at the end of the prosecution’s case.

Foong said the teenager, who was also the first defence witness, sat near the dock when giving his statement.

“He read a short statement in Mandarin and apologised for what happened and for causing the victim’s death,” he said.

The trial continues this afternoon.

Berita Harian