FEDERAL COURT COMMUTES MAN'S DEATH SENTENCE TO 35 YEARS FOR MURDER OF BROTHER

KUCHING, Nov 18 (BERNAMA) -- A man escaped the death penalty after the Federal Court allowed his final appeal against a conviction for the murder of his brother with a sawn-off shotgun at a longhouse in Sibu nine years ago.

A three-judge panel, presided over by Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Datuk Azizah Nawawi, alongside Datuk Rhodzariah Bujang and Datuk Azimah Omar, unanimously set aside the death sentence originally imposed by the Sibu High Court on Ringgie Ampas, 47.

The court allowed his appeal and sentenced him to 35 years' imprisonment, effective from the date of his arrest on 21 May 2017, and 15 strokes of the cane. 

Meanwhile, his counsel, Louis Jarau Patrick, said they had applied to the Attorney General's Chambers for a sentence review under the Abolition of Mandatory Death Penalty Act 2023.

"I applied for a 30-year prison sentence for my client," he said when met by reporters at the Kuching High Court today.

Meanwhile, deputy public prosecutor Mohd Amril Johari did not oppose the appellant's application but submitted that a sentence of 33 years' imprisonment and 13 strokes of the cane should be imposed.

It was previously reported by the media that Ringgie had shot and killed his brother, Entili, at Kampung Sibintek, Skim B, Batu 24, Sibu, on May 21, 2017, following an altercation at their longhouse.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene after being shot with a sawn-off shotgun from a distance of approximately 100 metres.

It is understood that the dispute arose when the accused attempted to prevent the victim from assaulting his (the accused's) daughter. 

Ringgie was arrested on the same day and later charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code.

-- BERNAMA