Jail term for man who killed wife reduced to 7.5 years after appeal
Photo of the Supreme Court building: Safhras Khan/Yahoo Singapore
A man who killed his wife at their Jurong West flat has his jail term reduced to seven years and six months on Tuesday (4 October) after successfully appealing against his original sentence.
Rosdi Joenet, 51, was previously found guilty of culpable homicide for killing his 41-year-old wife, Faridah Senin, on 17 November 2012 and sentenced to nine years’ jail in March this year.
Appearing before Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, Judges of Appeal Tay Yong Kwang and Chao Hick Tin at the court of appeal, Rosdi’s lawyer, Abraham Vergis, successful argued that his client was suffering from a delusional disorder and was not on any medication when the incident happened.
Rosdi, a former driver, stabbed his wife 18 times after he suspected her of having an extra marital affair.
The couple, who have three children, had been sleeping in separate rooms for six months prior to the incident, media reports said.
On the day of the incident at about 5am, Rosdi wanted to talk to his wife about their marital problems. But his wife refused to do so when Rosdi approached her in her bedroom.
Rosdi then took a knife and entered her bedroom. After locking the door, he stabbed his wife repeatedly before calling the police to confess to his crime. He was promptly arrested and charged.
In passing judgment, Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon said that the appeal panel of judges was satisfied that Rosdi was suffering from a mental disorder. He also said that Rosdi should seek psychological help after he is released.
CJ Menon said that the panel noted that Rosdi’s family, including his mother-in-law and sister-in-law, have forgiven him and are willing to look after him upon his release.
Rosdi looked relieved after the hearing was over. Wearing a prison jacket, he was seen waving at his 19-year-old daughter, a trainee teacher, who was seated at the public gallery.
When approached, Rosdi’s daughter, who did not wish to be named, said that she was thankful that the case was over.
