SIBU, July 7 — The trial of a man who is alleged to have murdered family members, including his wife and two children at their residence in Pulau Li Hua Housing Area here on July 5 last year. got underway at the High Court here today.

In his preamble in the case, Senior Federal Counsel Yaacub Chik said the accused, Jacob Tiang Lee Yee, 44, a former oil palm site contractor, is charged with three offences under Section 302 of the Penal Code for causing the death of Ling Yung Ming (his wife), Christine Tiang Soon Ai (daughter) and Victor Tiang Soon Sheng (son) on July 5 last year between 6.20am to 9.50am.

He faces the mandatory death sentence upon conviction of these charges.

Yacuub said the accused is also charged for an offence under Section 307 of the Penal Code for attempting to kill another son, Vincent Tiang Soon Thai, at the same place, time and day.

If convicted, Jacob is liable to face imprisonment up to 10 years and in this case 20 years, for also causing hurt to Vincent while trying to kill him.

Yaacub said the accused is also charged for an offence under Section 309 of the Penal Code for trying to commit suicide also at the same place, time and day.

This attempted suicide charge is framed under Section 309 of the Penal Code and provides for jail up to a year or fine, or both upon conviction.

Yaacub said the prosecution would rely on “direct, scientific, medical and circumstantial evidence” to prove the case against the accused.

“From the totality of the evidence that shall be adduced; it shall be proven beyond reasonable doubt that the accused person had intentionally caused the death, attempted to cause death and attempted to commit suicide,” he said.

He also said the accused had been sent to Hospital Sentosa in Kuching for psychiatric analysis.

“But in the opinion of Dr Lau King Ka as the hospital’s senior psychiatric consultant specialist, the accused knew what he was doing and that he knew what he was doing was right or wrong,”he said.

Some 38 witnesses are expected to be called to testify against the accused who is represented by assigned counsel Ben Lau.

Yaacub will be assisted by deputy public prosecutor Mohd Azrul Faidz. — Bernama