Kovan double murder case: Defence counsel engaged for suspect
Three lawyers have been engaged to defend the suspect in the high-profile Kovan double murder case, emerging as a surprise even to him.
The three counsel, who were hired by members of suspended police staff sergeant Iskandar bin Rahmat's family to defend him, introduced themselves formally in court on Monday morning.
They are Ferlin Jayatissa and Rudy Marican from Lex Compass LLC, and they told reporters they were engaged "as soon as (Iskandar) was charged" last week. Joining them on the case next week also is N Sudha Nair.
The three applied to speak to Iskandar on Monday, but were denied by police who said their investigations were still ongoing.
"We will approach the investigation team to get access to him as soon as is possible," said Jayatissa, who spoke on behalf of the team.
Iskandar, 34, who was early last week charged with the double murder of father and son Tan Boon Sin and Tan Chee Heong, has been held in custody since he was brought back to Singapore two Fridays ago.
He appeared surprised when he saw the lawyers, asking the district judge who engaged them on his behalf.
The suspended senior staff sergeant appeared at the Subordinate Courts on Monday wearing a black T-shirt and jeans, with his right hand in a bandage.
Police disclosed in court that he was hospitalised for five days last week with an infection from an injury to his hand that required stitches.
Earlier this month, 66-year-old Tan Boon Sin was found dead in the garden of his home at 14J Hillside Drive, while the body of his son, 42-year-old Tan Chee Heong, was dragged beneath a car over more than a kilometre from there to Kovan MRT, where it finally dislodged.
Iskandar is alleged to have been at the wheel of the silver Toyota Camry, which belonged to the elder Tan. The car was found the next morning parked outside a row of automobile workshops on Eunos Avenue 3, while the accused is said to have escaped to Johor Bahru on a green scooter the night before.
He was then arrested outside a restaurant by Malaysian police, and was brought back to Singapore and charged the following Monday.
Iskandar remains under police custody for further investigation at the Central Police Division, and will have his case mentioned again in court next Monday. If found guilty, he faces the death penalty.
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