Aug 10, 2010
Son suspect unfit for trial
<!-- by line --> By Khushwant Singh
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A district court heard on Tuesday that Ho Wei Yi, 29, was deemed unfit to stand trial as he was suffering from schizophrenia. -- ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
A YOUNG man accused of murdering his father in August last year will not be tried. A district court heard on Tuesday that Ho Wei Yi, 29, was deemed unfit to stand trial as he was suffering from schizophrenia. He will instead be remanded pending an order from the Minister of Law for him to be detained indefinitely while he undergoes treatment for his mental condition.
The court proceedings were heard through video conferencing with Ho in Changi prison. He was represented by lawyer Christopher Bridges, who has been assigned to defend Ho as murder is a capital crime. The unemployed man was charged last year with killing his father, church pastor Michael Ho Shiong Chun, 58, who was found dead in the master bedroom toilet of their flat in Block 110, McNair Road on Aug 5.
Mr Ho, a pastor for over 30 years, led the Chuan Hoe Seventh Day Adventist Church at Yio Chu Kang. His body was found after the Singapore Civil Defence Force put out a fire that broke out in the flat at about 10pm. The next morning, the police arrested Ho wandering in a shopping mall near Novena train station.
On Tuesday, Ho, who is believed to be autistic, told District Judge Lim Tse Haw several times that he did not need a lawyer and asked when he would be brought to the High Court. The judge explained to him that there would be no trial and he would be treated for his mental illness. Ho's mother was in court and was seen asking Mr Bridges what will become of her son.
Once the Ministry of Law draws up the order, Ho will be confined in IMH at the discretion of the Law Minister. A psychiatrist will examine him at regular intervals to report on his mental state. If Ho is eventually found fit to stand trial, he could be brought to court again for the case to resume.
