Man accused of killing father had ‘very good relationship’ with him
TODAY file photo
SINGAPORE — A businessman who allegedly caused his father’s death in their home by applying a headlock and chokehold in the region of the latter’s neck had a “very good relationship” with the older man, the court heard at the start of his trial on Thursday (July 7).
Mark Tan Peng Liat, 30, was initially charged with murder in February last year. However, the charge was amended to culpable homicide not amounting to murder in October.
According to court documents, Tan is alleged to have caused the death of his 67-year-old father, Tan Kok Keng, by applying a headlock and chokehold in the region of his neck on Feb 10 last year. These were “done with the knowledge that they were likely to cause such bodily injury as it is likely to cause death”, the documents stated. It was not stated in court on Thursday what led Tan to allegedly commit such actions.
The incident allegedly took place at about 5.26pm in the Tans’ semi-detached house at 58 West Coast Rise.
At Thursday’s hearing, Tan’s paternal aunt, Madam Tan Hoon Choo, spoke of the “very good relationship” between the two men.
“My brother is very fond of his son, he loved his son and was very proud of him,” said the 72-year-old woman, who discovered her brother’s body.
In response to a question by Deputy Public Prosecutor Kumaresan Gohubalan, Mdm Tan said she did not think the elder Tan was unhappy with his son prior to his death.
“In fact, he was very pleased with Mark ... He was telling me in the car that he is very proud of his son, that he’s doing well,” said Mdm Tan, who lived a short distance away from her brother’s house. Her brother lived in the house with his son and an Indonesian domestic helper, who had been working with them for 13 years.
On the day of the incident, the maid, Sumarti Dwi Ambarwati, rushed to Mdm Tan’s house in a hysterical state.
Mdm Tan told the court: “She was crying (as she fell to the floor): ‘Auntie, please help, please help, Sir and Mark are fighting’ ... They never had any fights and this was the first time.”
Mdm Tan rushed to her brother’s place, where she saw her nephew standing in front of a car parked outside the house.
“I observed his (the younger Tan’s) face to be pale, and he looked very bewildered and lost. It’s not the usual way he would greet me,” said Mdm Tan. “I just gave him a hug.”
Mdm Tan later saw her brother lying on the floor of the master bedroom. She called out to the elder Tan, whose eyes — she noticed — were “half-open”. “He never responded ... his lips were also a bit blue,” she said, adding that she then asked her nephew to call an ambulance.
In response to a question by defence lawyer Derek Kang, Mdm Tan said her brother, who had a black belt in taekwondo, was very fit.
Mr Kang also asked if the elder Tan had told her previously that he could kill a person with one punch. “Yes, he did,” she replied.
Mdm Tan added that her brother was also “extremely sensitive” when it came to money matters.
The younger Tan has also been charged with having 15 airsoft guns without a licence. He intends to plead guilty to this charge. The businessman, who is currently out on bail, has had his passport impounded.
His bail had earlier been set at S$50,000.
If found guilty of causing his father’s death, Tan could face up to 10 years’ jail, or a fine or caning, or any combination of the punishments. The trial continues.
