Kovan murder trial: Accused was not "violent individual", says psychiatrist

Iskandar Rahmat was "not impulsive in a way that leads to violence”, and "would not by any measure....be described as a violent individual…or commit any violent offenses", said a psychiatrist on the final day of the first tranche of the trial of the former policeman.

The 36-year-old, a former senior staff sergeant with the Singapore Police Force, is accused of murdering car workshop owner Tan Boon Sin, 67, and his son Chee Heong, 42, in Kovan in July 2013.

Dr Jerome Goh, a senior consultant psychiatrist with the Institute of Mental Health, was today (30 Oct) cross examined by defence lawyer Shashi Nathan. Goh told the court, "Based on his version of events of what happened, he described and reported panic that cumulated in the two deaths."

Goh said he had made his assessment of Iskandar based on his self-report, and on information from individuals who know him. Iskandar's motivation was to resolve the twin issues of impending bankruptcy and disciplinary proceedings for financial embarassment. "He told me his efforts were directed towards solving these two. It is clear to him that had he not been able to continue his work in the force, he would not be able to sustain the lifestyle that he has," said Goh.

Iskandar had described his detailed planning about "robbing the old man", said Goh. He added, "His account is that his intention was just to rob, to take the money and to run. He didn’t speak about intending to kill in the process."

Goh stressed, "I will caution that his version of events is, from the psychiatric evaluation, entirely his self report. Even in this examination, there may be other pieces of information which doesn’t quite gel with his description, and it has to be considered with other physical evidence."

The trial continues on 9 November.

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