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http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Singapore/Story/STIStory_343325.html
Life-term for maid stays
By Selina Lum
The judge noted that Barokah (left) has a propensity to get involved with men, then feel depressed over the extra-marital affairs, which in this case, led to 'devastating' consequences. -- ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW
A RE-HEARING into the case of an Indonesian maid who killed her elderly employer more than three years has not changed the opinion of a High Court judge - that she should be locked up for life.
There is a risk that Barokah, 29, will re-offend, said Justice Tay Yong Kwang on Thursday.
The judge noted that the maid has a propensity to get involved with men, then feel depressed over the extra-marital affairs, which in this case, led to 'devastating' consequences.
Justice Tay also said that the evidence in the second hearing reinforced his previous assessment of Barokah as a cold-blooded and dangerous killer.
Barokah had pleaded guilty in November 2007 to a charge of manslaughter for killing Madam Wee Keng Wah, by beating the 75-year-old woman unconscious and then pushing her out of the ninth-floor window. She was then sentenced to life imprisonment and appealed.
The Court of Appeal then sent the case back to the trial judge to re-evaluate the 'uncertain' psychiatric evidence.
Quoting psychiatrist Tommy Tan, Justice Tay noted in his judgment on Thursday that 'nothing is certain in psychiatry' - some mentally disturbed persons are much more impaired than others.
In this case, the judge noted that Barokah's depression was largely self-induced by her choice to have affairs with men and that she had created the situation leading to the crime by sneaking out of her employer's flat that fateful night.
'The cruel and inhumane killing was totally unjustified in the circumstances here,' said Justice Tay.
'Justice is not only about accused persons... Justice is also about the victims and their families and the good of society at large.
'While we are concerned about the future of accused persons and their families, we must never forget the victims and their families. The victim in this case has no voice but the court's and has no future to even think about as a result of the crime.'
Life-term for maid stays
By Selina Lum
The judge noted that Barokah (left) has a propensity to get involved with men, then feel depressed over the extra-marital affairs, which in this case, led to 'devastating' consequences. -- ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW
A RE-HEARING into the case of an Indonesian maid who killed her elderly employer more than three years has not changed the opinion of a High Court judge - that she should be locked up for life.
There is a risk that Barokah, 29, will re-offend, said Justice Tay Yong Kwang on Thursday.
The judge noted that the maid has a propensity to get involved with men, then feel depressed over the extra-marital affairs, which in this case, led to 'devastating' consequences.
Justice Tay also said that the evidence in the second hearing reinforced his previous assessment of Barokah as a cold-blooded and dangerous killer.
Barokah had pleaded guilty in November 2007 to a charge of manslaughter for killing Madam Wee Keng Wah, by beating the 75-year-old woman unconscious and then pushing her out of the ninth-floor window. She was then sentenced to life imprisonment and appealed.
The Court of Appeal then sent the case back to the trial judge to re-evaluate the 'uncertain' psychiatric evidence.
Quoting psychiatrist Tommy Tan, Justice Tay noted in his judgment on Thursday that 'nothing is certain in psychiatry' - some mentally disturbed persons are much more impaired than others.
In this case, the judge noted that Barokah's depression was largely self-induced by her choice to have affairs with men and that she had created the situation leading to the crime by sneaking out of her employer's flat that fateful night.
'The cruel and inhumane killing was totally unjustified in the circumstances here,' said Justice Tay.
'Justice is not only about accused persons... Justice is also about the victims and their families and the good of society at large.
'While we are concerned about the future of accused persons and their families, we must never forget the victims and their families. The victim in this case has no voice but the court's and has no future to even think about as a result of the crime.'
