SINGAPORE : The prosecution in the trial of two Indonesian maids
accused of murder refuted a psychiatrist's view that one of them
had acted in a lapse of self-control.
They challenged Dr Douglas Kong's view that Juminem, 19, had acted
in a lapse of self-control brought on by severe provocation by her
employer Esther Ang.
Juminem and another maid Siti, 16, were charged with the murder of
Madam Ang.
In its questioning, the prosecution reminded the court of Juminem
asking Siti to hit her on the head with a bottle to make it look
like a robbery had occurred.
The prosecution suggested this ability to formulate a plan showed
Juminem was capable of logical thought during the incident.
Dr Kong objected, saying people could carry out many seemingly
complicated activities in a state of numbness and
incoherence.
He argued that only people under great emotional duress could hurt
themselves without thought of pain, as Juminem eventually did in
smashing the bottle against her own forehead.
The defence also made the point that although Juminem took nine
credit cards from Madam Ang's handbag, she had neither owned nor
learnt to use one before.
The prosecution submitted that Juminem exaggerated to Dr Kong the
symptoms of depression she suffered, which she had not mentioned to
the prosecution psychiatrist, Dr Kenneth Koh.
These details were also not found in the police statements Juminem
had made earlier.
Dr Koh will be called to testify on Wednesday. - CNA