Youths in Downtown East murder see charges reduced
Four youths accused of killing a 19-year-old polytechnic student at Downtown East entertainment hub last October have had their murder charges reduced to that of rioting.
Chong Rui Hong and Ng Wei Lun, 19, Puay De Feng, 20, and Jason Chew Wei Beng, 21, are now accused of being members of an unlawful assembly with the common goal of causing grievous hurt to Darren Ng Wei Jie, reported Channel NewsAsia.
They can be jailed for up to seven years and caned if found guilty, but they will not face the death sentence.
On 30 October 2010, the group allegedly attacked Darren Ng between 5:30pm and 6pm at the Pasir Ris establishment. He died from his injuries in Changi General Hospital that night.
According to court documents, at least one member of the group appeared to have stabbed and slashed Darren Ng with a knife, chopper and screwdriver.
Puay and Chew will be back in court on 28 September while the case involving the other two youth will be mentioned in October.
Another eight youths believed to be involved with the case still face murder charges. They are aged between 16 and 22.
Seven of them will have their cases re-mentioned on 2 November, while the eighth, Lewis Wee Jun Jie, 21, will be back in court on 19 September.
