Man accused of father's murder gets lesser charge

Man accused of father's murder gets lesser charge

SINGAPORE - A businessman accused originally of murdering his father now faces an amended charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Mark Tan Peng Liat, 29, was charged in court in February this year with causing the death of his 67-year-old father, Mr Tan Kok Keng, at a semi-detached house in West Coast Rise on Feb 10.

The amended charge states that he caused his father's death by applying a headlock and a chokehold over his neck region, which were acts done with the knowledge that they were likely to cause such bodily injury as is likely to cause death.

Tan was also slapped with an additional charge of having 15 airsoft guns without a licence at the house that evening.

The prosecution had asked for bail of $100,000.

Tan's lawyer Derek Kang objected, saying bail of not more than $40,000 would be sufficient.

He told the court the incident arose over a quarrel between his client and the latter's father. He said Tan poses no danger to society if he is released.

District Judge Eddy Tham set bail at $50,000. Tan's passport has been impounded.

If convicted of manslaughter, Tan could be jailed for up to 10 years or fined or caned or receive any combined punishment.

The maximum penalty for the other charge is a $5,000 fine and three years' jail.

The case has been adjourned to Nov 16.

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This article was first published on Oct 19, 2015.
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