THE High Court today acquitted Samirah Muzaffar and two teenagers over the charge of murdering her husband, former Cradle Fund CEO Nazrin Hassan, four years ago.
In his verdict, Datuk Ab Karim Ab Rahman said the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case against them.
“The prosecution failed to prove that Nazrin’s death took place between 11.30pm on June 13, 2018 and 4am on June 14, 2018.
“The public prosecutor stated that the deceased died during this time but testimony from his sister (Che Elainee Che Hassan) showed that Nazrin saw her message at 11.50pm.
“And there is no direct evidence to show that they (Samirah and the teenagers) had committed the offence,” he said, adding the prosecution team merely assumed Samirah and the teenagers were with Nazrin at the time he passed away.
Samirah, 47, the two teenagers, now aged 19 and 16, and their Indonesian maid Eka Wahyu Lestari, were charged with murdering Nazrin at their home in Mutiara Damansara on June 14, 2018.
Eka Wahyu is still at large.
On that note, judge Ab Karim said the public prosecutor had tried to implicate Samirah by saying that the latter did not call the fire and rescue department when the fire had started.
“The prosecution also said Samirah was not sad over her husband’s demise but all these seem to be merely the prosecution’s perception.
“They also tried to imply that those charged were after Nazrin’s insurance money but at the same time, the prosecution admitted in their submission that the motive in this case was unclear,” he noted.
On related matter, Free Malaysia Today reported Samirah’s defence counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah as saying that his team was prepared if the prosecution files an appeal on the verdict.
“If there is an appeal, we will stand a chance to win because we think the decision will be maintained,” he mentioned.
Nazrin’s murder trial started on Sept 6, 2019 and concluded on April 22 this year. – June 21, 2022
Main photo credit: The Star
