Man accused of killing brother gets pro bono lawyer

Man accused of killing brother gets pro bono lawyer

A former Singapore Polytechnic student accused of murdering his older brother at their family home has found a lawyer to represent him free of charge.

Ng Yao Wei, 21, appeared in court via video link from Changi Prison yesterday and was remanded for another three weeks at Changi Medical Centre for further evaluation and treatment, on the request of the Institute of Mental Health.

He is accused of killing 26-year-old motion graphics artist Ng Yao Cheng on April 13 at the Windermere condominium in Choa Chu Kang, where the brothers lived with their parents.

Ng will be represented pro bono by Mr Josephus Tan of Fortis Law Corporation, who saw his client for the first time yesterday as he appeared on screen.

Mr Tan said he was appointed last week after the defendant's parents approached him.

He told reporters outside the courtroom: "I know it was reported that they are living in a condo, but apart from the house, I don't think they have the financial capability.

I can't be expecting them to sell the roof over their heads to fund their legal fees. Our concern is for the parents to seek counselling themselves and leave the legal proceedings to us."

Ng called police to report a murder on the night of April 13 and paramedics arrived to find the elder Mr Ng lying in a pool of blood in a bedroom, reportedly with knife wounds to his neck. He was pronounced dead at 11.16pm.

It is believed that the brothers had been arguing.

Ng was arrested on the spot and taken to Changi General Hospital as he had injuries.

He was charged with murder there on April 15.

Ng recently completed a diploma course in business information technology at Singapore Polytechnic where his results put him on the Director's Honour Roll in his second year.

If found guilty, he could face the death penalty.

The case will next be heard on May 27.

oliviaho@sph.com.sg


This article was first published on May 7, 2015.
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