Woman who allegedly killed husband in 2019 is 'of unsound mind', court proceedings to be delayed until she recovers

SINGAPORE — A 57-year-old woman accused of killing her husband in their Ang Mo Kio flat in 2019 failed to enter her plea on Friday (Sept 30), after the High Court heard that she was still "of unsound mind" and thus unable to legally defend herself.

Because of this, court proceedings had to be put on hold for the time being until she recovers.

Wang Shuzhen, who is from China, was originally charged with the murder of Teh Hock Pine, a 63-year-old Singaporean, in a third-storey flat at Block 633 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6.

She now faces a reduced charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Court documents stated that she caused Teh's death by striking his head at least four times with a 2.6kg glass ball.

This allegedly took place in the wee hours of Oct 27 around 5.45am.

Few details on Wang's psychiatric condition were given in open court on Friday, but her pro bono lawyer Sadhana Rai, who was assigned to the case under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme, said that Wang has a “delusional belief” that Ms Rai’s colleagues “are involved in some way or another with her husband”.

NOT FIT TO TAKE THE PLEA

High Court judge Dedar Singh Gill referred to a medical report from the Institute of Mental Health dated Wednesday, where a psychiatrist certified that Wang is of unsound mind and not fit to take the plea.

The judge then ordered a stay of the proceedings under Section 249 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Because Wang’s alleged offence is not a bailable one, Justice Gill ordered for her case to be reported to the minister of law, who can order an accused person to be confined in a psychiatric institution or any other suitable place of safe custody.

Pending the minister’s order, Justice Gill ordered Wang to be detained at Changi Prison Complex.

Ms Rai then asked to be discharged as Wang’s defence lawyer because her delusional beliefs made it “very difficult” for the legal team to continue giving her legal advice.

Ms Rai said, though, that the team can assist Wang again in the future if she wishes to reapply for criminal legal aid.

Wang, who appeared in court through a video-link, appeared dishevelled and had to be escorted away by police officers after the court hearing ended.

Anyone convicted of culpable homicide can be jailed for life, or up to 20 years, with a fine or caning. Women cannot be caned under Singapore laws.

Neighbours living on the second floor below Wang and Teh’s home previously told TODAY that they heard sounds of struggle around 5.30am, before Wang was taken out in handcuffs by police officers at around 7am. 

Neighbours said that Wang was “big-sized” at around 1.7m to 1.75m tall — bigger and taller than Teh.

One of the neighbours said in Mandarin that she had seen the pair around with a young child and described them as a “very loving couple” who frequently patronised the nearby market.

Apart from Wang and Teh, the neighbours also said that there were three others living in the flat — the couple's granddaughter and her parents.