Mentally unsound S'porean man, 90, who killed wife gets notional 5-year jail term

Background on the Case

Ridawi Morsudin, a 90-year-old man, was found guilty of culpable homicide not amounting to murder for attacking and killing his 74-year-old wife in their Bukit Panjang flat in 2024. He was diagnosed with mixed dementia and had been losing the ability to recognize his family members. The main door to the flat was locked, and the code to the lock was known only to his family members and a healthcare assistant. The window pane and window grilles were closed and intact when the police arrived. No one else could have entered the flat during the six-hour window when the couple was alone.

Legal Proceedings

The High Court found Ridawi unfit to plead or stand trial due to his unsound mind and dementia. The court considered the severity of Ridawi's brain condition and his low risk of reoffending due to the extensive care he needed for daily living. The prosecution had previously called for a notional imprisonment period of five years for Ridawi, while his lawyer argued for two to three years' jail. The judge could not agree with the lawyer's argument, as there was still a need for an element of protection due to Ridawi's dangerous state.

New Regime

The court must determine if the accused is indeed incapable of making his defence. If so, the court must report the case to the Minister of Law and specify the notional imprisonment period that the accused would have been required to undergo, if he was convicted of the offence. An appropriate order would then be taken by the minister.

Future Implications

This case is believed to be the first of its kind under the new regime that came into effect in February 2025. The court must determine if the accused is indeed incapable of making his defence and specify the notional imprisonment period if he was convicted of the offence.