Court Orders Mental Evaluation For Teacher Who Slashed Wife

BALIK PULAU, Sept 4 (Bernama) -- A male teacher, who allegedly slashed his wife last month, has been ordered by the Sessions Court to undergo a mental health evaluation at Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta (HBUK).

Judge Ahzal Fariz Ahmad Khairuddin granted the request for Muhammad Nazmi Izzuddin Muhamad Zubairi, 30, to undergo the evaluation under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Earlier, when the charge was read, the accused did not enter a plea and responded with "I don’t understand" when asked if he understood the charge.

Muhammad Nazmi Izzuddin is charged with attempting to kill his wife, Hanis Sofea Hamdan, 28, by slashing her with a knife, knowing it could cause her death. The incident occurred at their home in Taman Tunas Muda, Sungai Ara, at 5.45am on Aug 27.

The charge, framed under Section 307 of the Penal Code, carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison if convicted.

Deputy public prosecutor R Lushani requested that the accused be referred to the hospital for further assessment, as recommended by a doctor at Penang Hospital.

The defence, represented by lawyer Yazid Khairul Azman, did not object to the request.

The court then fixed Oct 8 for mention to review the accused's mental health report.

-- BERNAMA