19-year-old accused of murdering father in Yishun completes psychiatric assessment; meeting lawyers for first time since October arrest

SINGAPORE — A 19-year-old charged with the murder of his 47-year-old father will have access to his lawyers after completing his psychiatric assessment.

Sylesnar Seah Jie Kai is accused of killing Eddie Seah Wee Teck around 7pm on Oct 10 evening between the fourth and fifth floors of Block 653, Yishun Avenue 4. 

This will be first time the accused will meet his lawyers, who had their earlier request to meet their client declined last month. He is represented by defence counsels Sunil Sudheesan and Joyce Khoo from law firm Quahe Woo & Palmer.

The prosecution told the court that the team is still preparing various reports but that the accused has completed his psychiatric assessment. No other details were mentioned.

Ms Khoo then asked if the teenager could meet with his defence counsel and District Judge Terence Tay then agreed to it.

Seah, who has been in remand, appeared before the court via video link and kept his head down throughout the proceedings.  

His next appearance in court is scheduled on Jan 31.

If convicted of murder, he could be given the death penalty, or life imprisonment with caning.

The family’s next-door neighbour told TODAY on Oct 11 that he heard the household having loud arguments in the past, but that things were peaceful in the last six months and he recently saw them spending time outside together.

Aside from Seah, the family also has a daughter and another son.

The police previously said that officers received a call for assistance around 7pm and found the older Seah lying motionless outside a residential unit.

He was pronounced dead by paramedics at the scene, and his son was later arrested.