SIBU: Two men escaped the gallows after the High Court here found them not guilty of murder, on Tuesday (Aug 18).
The accused, Udi Ambo, 31, and Ngumbang Abang, 40, were released.
Both were previously charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code and read together with Section 34 of the same Code.
The section provides for mandatory death sentences.
They were charged for causing the death of 55-year-old Jampong Jon on March 19, 2017 between 12.30am and 3.30am at Ladang Cili in Ulu Sungai Enseluai Sare, Sarikei.
In making the decision, Judge Datuk Lee Heng Cheong said based on the sworn testimony by the accused, during the incident they were only defending themselves.
Lee said that the accused had managed to prove their defense argument to the point of releasing and acquitting the two accused of the offenses against them.
He also made the decision after considering the evidence from the prosecution, the sworn testimony of the two accused as well as the re-evaluation of the testimony of witnesses from both the accused and the prosecution.
Udi was represented by lawyer Rosli Kapor, assisted by Harold Emparak Kerebo, while Ngumbang was represented by lawyer Jacob Wong.
Sixteen prosecution witnesses were called to testify.
Deputy public prosecutor Yong Suk Hui tried the case.
