MALAYSIA. DEATH SENTENCE FOR FOUR UPHELD

October 8, 2008: four lorry drivers, sentenced to death for the murder of a factory worker six years ago, will remain in Death Row in Malaysia.
The Court of Appeal dismissed their appeals to set aside the conviction and sentence of the High Court in Seremban in 2007. M. Manimaran, 26, M. Ganasan, 39, A. Sagathevan, 32, and P. Puvaneswaran, 43, were jointly charged with murdering G. Murugan, 25, at Kombok Estate in Kuala Sawah near Seremban between 10pm on Aug 26, 2002, and 3am the following day. The men have one last right of appeal to the Federal Court. Court of Appeal judge Datuk Gopal Sri Ram said circumstantial and direct evidence proved that the four participated in the crime. He said the appellate court conceded that the written judgment by the High Court judge was "woefully inadequate".
"However, the totality of the evidence is compelling and supports the charge against the accused persons," Sri Ram said.
He said the trial judge's findings were upheld as there was no substantial miscarriage of justice. (Sources: New Straits Times, 09/10/2008)