| |
SINGAPORE : Day 20 of the Amutha Valli forced exorcism trial saw tempers flaring in court on Thursday.
The defendants' lawyers, Dennis Tan and Anthony Lee, lost their composure in court after Amutha's lawyer, RS Bajwa, called Father Simon Tan a liar and asked God to forgive him.
The lawyers, who are representing six other Novena Church members in the case, demanded Mr Bajwa apologise for insulting someone's religion. Father Tan is not represented by the two lawyers.
Mr Bajwa maintained he was merely blessing Father Tan. In reply, the Novena Church priest said he was not offended, as Mr Bajwa was just doing his job.
On his second day of cross examination, Father Tan said he had conducted a prayer of deliverance over Amutha. However, he conceded that parts of the process were similar to the rite of exorcism.
As to whether Amutha had been allowed to go to the toilet on the day of the incident in August 2004, Father Tan said Amutha had only asked to go to the toilet once. He had also asked Amutha's daughter and two female churchgoers to accompany her.
When Amutha became violent, Father Tan said other church members had held on to her ankles and not her thigh.
The hearing continues on Friday with Father Jacob Ong, the other accused priest, taking the stand. - CNA /ls
|
