Couple to undergo psychiatric assessment

WOODLANDS MURDER CASE

A couple charged with the murder of their flatmate in Woodlands were yesterday ordered to undergo psychiatric assessment.

Housewife Tan Hui Zhen, 31, and her 35-year-old husband, Pua Hak Chuan, were arrested after Ms Annie Ee Yu Lian's body was found on a mattress in a bedroom by paramedics.

The couple are accused of killing Ms Ee in their third-floor flat at Block 878, Woodlands Avenue 9, at 9.38am on April 13.

Ms Ee, 26, was a waitress at a Japanese restaurant in Causeway Point.

The trio had apparently been living in the flat for about six months.

Yesterday, the prosecution applied for the couple to be assessed, to decide if they are suffering from any abnormality of mind and if they are capable of making their defence in court.

The couple's lawyer, Mr Josephus Tan, together with his colleagues, Mr Fong Wei Li and Ms Gloria Lee, had no objection to the application.

Mr Tan was also given permission by the court to speak to his clients briefly.

Tan appeared slightly shaken while in the dock, but Pua seemed calm throughout.

His mother and four women friends were in court when the case was mentioned.

The two accused will be remanded at Complex Medical Centre and Changi Women's Prison respectively until their next appearance in court on May 13.

This article was first published on April 23, 2015.
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