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More youths in Downtown East murder case see charges reduced

Seven of the 12 youths accused of killing a 19-year-old polytechnic student at Downtown East entertainment hub in 2010 have had their murder charges reduced on Monday, which means none of the dozen will face a death sentence.

According to The Straits Times, five will be tried for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and two for rioting with a dangerous weapon.

The five to be tried for the former charge are Ho Wui Ming, 22; Chen Wei Zhen, 21; Edward Tay Wei Loong, 20; Louis Tong Qing Yao, 17; and Stillwell Ong Keat Pin, 20. The two who will face the rioting charge are Tang Jia Min, 23, and Ho Wei Quan, 19.

No reason was given for the reduction, the same paper reported.

Earlier, charges against five others had also been reduced.

21-year-old Jason Chew Wei Beng was prosecuted on 23 February for rioting and for voluntarily causing hurt to Darren Ng Wei Jie.

Last September, Chong Rui Hong and Ng Wei Lun, 19, Puay De Feng, 20, and Jason Chew Wei Beng, 21, also saw their murder charges reduced to that of rioting.

All 12 youths were allegedly involved in a bloody incident on the evening of 30 October 2010, which led to the death of Ng.

Ng died from multiple stab wounds and other injuries sustained that night.

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- Youths in Downtown East murder see charges reduced