A Singapore woman is jailed for being guilty of the murder of a 24-year-old woman due to abuse and mistreatment, despite the fact that the woman suffered from psychiatric problems, the judge assured that she was aware of her actions.
Singapore woman jailed for killing domestic worker she tortured and starved to death
Singapore’s High Court on Tuesday sentenced a woman to 30 years in prison because she killed her domestic worker in Myanmar after more than a year of abuse, starvation, torture and beatings.
Singaporean Gaiyathiri Murugayan is guilty of the 28-count murder in connection with her abuse of Piang Ngaih Don, who was 24 and subjected to 14 months of beatings, culminating in 2016 with her death.
Murugayan, 40, suffered from considerable psychiatric problems, the crimes he had committed, were abhorrent and convenient. Judge See Kee Oon said.
“The extremely aggravated and horrific circumstances of the crimes are crucial considerations that tip the balance toward retribution and deterrence,” the judge said according to a panel provided by the court.
“She was conscious of her actions and resolute in her conduct. She did not lack the capacity to understand what she was doing.”
Joseph Chen, who is Murugayan’s lawyer, said a member of his client’s family had asked him to file an appeal requesting a shorter prison sentence of 15 to 16 years.
“People with psychiatric disorder see things differently, they can’t get out of the situation , he told Reuters. “For the family member, the 30-year sentence is as bad as life imprisonment.”
Domestic workers in Asia and their supporters have long been speaking out against gross exploitation and abuse by employers
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