Accused in Kovan murder case to defend himself in court
The accused (centre), an active police officer at the time of the murders, had owed the bank over S$60,000. TODAY file photo
SINGAPORE — Former police officer Iskandar Rahmat will appear in the dock to defend himself against double murder charges Friday (Oct 30), after the prosecution closed its case today (Oct 28).
The 36-year-old faces two counts of murder, after he allegedly schemed to pay off his bank debts by robbing and killing father-and-son duo Tan Boon Sin, 67, and Tan Chee Heong, 42.
On July 10, 2013, Iskandar allegedly stabbed the older victim to death in his Hillside Drive terrace house, before attacking the man’s son.
After allegedly knifing the younger Tan, Iskandar fled the scene in a silver Toyota Camry, dragging the son’s body under the wheels for nearly a kilometre. The body was finally dislodged outside Kovan MRT station.
Iskandar’s defence lawyers claimed that the case was a robbery gone awry, and the accused had been provoked to kill, after the elder Tan wielded a knife at him. The only witness today — Dr Lim Hock Hin from Clariancy Aesthetic Clinic — noted that Iskandar had several injuries on his hands, after examining him on July 13, 2013.
In a medical report produced in the High Court, Dr Lim observed that the accused had a bite mark on his left palm, and two tiny scratches on the same hand. Iskandar’s right hand had a 3mm-long scratch on the last finger and two lacerations between the thumb and index finger. The lacerations — supposedly caused by the grabbing of a knife — were already stitched up in a Malaysia clinic.
At the end of the hearing, Justice Tay Yong Kwang told Iskandar: “I find that the prosecution has made out a case against you ... and accordingly, I’ll call upon you to give evidence in your defence.”
Replying in hushed tones, Iskandar said: “I’ll elect to testify.”
He will be the only defence witness.
