GEORGE TOWN: Three blows to the head with a “hard, blunt object” caused the death of bullying victim T Nhaveen, who was assaulted by a group of friends near a park at Bukit Gelugor four years ago.
Testifying at the long-awaited criminal trial of Nhaveen’s murder at the High Court today, Penang Hospital forensic specialist Dr Amir Saad Abdul Rahim said Nhaveen fell into a coma before succumbing to injuries from blunt force trauma, which caused subdural hematoma or bleeding in the brain.
He said that during a post-mortem on June 15, 2017, he found “healing abrasions” from the trauma to the head. He said the force used on Nhaveen would have made him unconscious almost immediately.
However, he said, he was unable to say what kind of object was used, as there was no sign or imprint of the object on the deceased’s scalp. Asked by the prosecution if a crash helmet could have been used, he said: “it could be”.
“His brains shook hard on the impact, causing it to be displaced. It was a very hard hit and we found three such marks on his head,” Amir said in testifying as a prosecution witness in the trial.
J Ragesuthan, 18, S Gokulan, 18, and two juveniles, one aged 17 and the other 16, were charged with the murder of Nhaveen at the magistrates’ court on June 19, 2017.
They were accused of murdering Nhaveen near the Karpal Singh Learning Centre, Jalan Kaki Bukit, Gelugor between 11pm and midnight on June 9, 2017. They have since been detained at the Sungai Petani Juvenile Prison.
Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Mohd Amril Johari, in the prosecution’s opening statement, said the four boys had made fun of an effeminate Nhaveen and “killed their fellow schoolmate”.
He said the prosecution was confident that there was enough evidence and witnesses to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the accused had intent to kill Nhaveen.
During cross-examination by the defence, lawyer Ranjit Singh Dhillon asked about Amir’s finding that abrasions were found on the scalp of Nhaveen.
Ranjit said abrasions alone were not enough to cause a brain bleed, but Amir denied that, saying he had seen cases where mere abrasions on the head could turn fatal.
Ranjit also asked if there were anal fissures stemming from penetration. The question relates to an allegation that Nhaveen was penetrated with objects by his assailants.
Amir said there were “no marks” to show any penetration, but there was evidence of a recent tear. Ranjit also asked how the deceased’s brains were heavier at 1,400g compared to the normal 1,200g, to which he inferred there could likely be a tumour.
Amir said the brains had become heavier as oedema or water retention had set in as a physiological response when internal bleeding occured in the brain.
Ranjit also suggested that Nhaveen could have died due to brain aneurysm, to which Amir also replied in the negative.
Earlier, police officer Chien Chunng Tsaur, formerly of the northeast district police intelligence and operations division, testified as the arresting officer in the case. Chien is now Kubang Pasu district police deputy chief.
The trial continues until May 5 before judicial commissioner Mohd Radzi Harun, with a total of 18 witnesses to testify.
Ranjit represented Ragesuthan and Gokulan, while Maanveer Singh Dhillon and Yagoo Subramaniam represented the other two minors. P Malkit Kaur held a watching brief on behalf of Nhaveen’s family.
Nhaveen’s mother, D Shanti, 45 said she was glad that the trial finally took off after four years. “We want justice for our boy,” she said in tears.-FMT