Boy Charged With Murder Of 19-Year-Old Student M Elisa Jonova

F Alan Stevekumar was brought before Magistrate Tuan Ruzuaini Tuan Lah at the Kuantan Magistrate's Court today, 12 October, where the charge was read to him through an interpreter.

According to the charge sheet, Alan allegedly murdered Elisa, also 19, between 4.32am and 4.55am on 6 October, by strangling her at a residence along Jalan Air Putih 2, Taman Pauline, Kuantan.

He was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the death penalty or imprisonment for a term between 30 and 40 years upon conviction. If the death penalty is not imposed, the sentence also includes at least 12 strokes of the cane.

Alan, who is originally from Perak, nodded and replied, "faham" (understand) after the charge was read out, reported the New Straits Times.

No plea was recorded, as murder offences under Section 302 fall under the High Court's trial jurisdiction.

Pahang director of prosecutions Mohd Sabri Othman appeared for the prosecution, while Alan was unrepresented. Mohd Sabri requested more time for the prosecution to obtain and review Elisa's completed post-mortem and toxicology reports.

The magistrate fixed 12 November for the next case mention.

According to Malay Mail, Alan, who was wearing a black T-shirt, red shorts, and a face mask, was escorted into the courtroom from a basement holding cell at about 9.20am. He has been in police custody since 6 October.

Elisa was found unconscious on a bed in her rented room at the Air Putih residence at about 4.30am on 6 October.

Police previously said a forensic examination found pressure marks around her neck. Alan had alerted the authorities to the incident.

The case was investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code before Alan was charged today.