PUBLIC PROSECUTOR v M Krishnan
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Case Significance
Public Prosecutor v M Krishnan [2024] SGHC 128 was decided in the General Division of the High Court of Singapore on 15 May 2024 by Valerie Thean J, in Criminal Case No 18 of 2024, following hearings on 12 and 22 April 2024. The accused, M Krishnan, pleaded guilty to a charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, punishable under s 304(a) of the Penal Code (Cap 224, 2008 Rev Ed). He was 34 at the time of the offence and 40 at the time of the decision. Between 11.29pm on 16 January 2019 and 1.33am on 17 January 2019, after drinking heavily, he repeatedly hit his live-in partner at their shared home and she died as a result. A psychiatric report concluded that he suffered from Intermittent Explosive Disorder, which contributed to his offending and was given an additive effect by his intoxication, though these conditions did not sufficiently impair his mental responsibility to qualify for the partial defence of diminished responsibility. On 22 April 2024, Valerie Thean J sentenced him to 20 years' imprisonment, backdated to the date of his arrest on 17 January 2019.
Summary
The accused pleaded guilty to a charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder under section 304(a) of the Penal Code, arising from his repeatedly hitting his live-in partner at their shared home after drinking heavily, causing her death. A psychiatric report concluded that the accused suffered from Intermittent Explosive Disorder which, together with his intoxication, contributed to his offending, though these conditions did not sufficiently impair his mental responsibility to qualify him for the partial defence of diminished responsibility. The General Division of the High Court sentenced the accused to 20 years' imprisonment, backdated to the date of his arrest, citing his history of abuse and disregard for his partner's life and the need for deterrence, retribution and protection of the public.
What was the sentence in Public Prosecutor v M Krishnan [2024] SGHC 128?
On 22 April 2024, Valerie Thean J sentenced M Krishnan to 20 years' imprisonment, backdated to his arrest on 17 January 2019, after he pleaded guilty to culpable homicide not amounting to murder under s 304(a) of the Penal Code.
What happened in Public Prosecutor v M Krishnan [2024] SGHC 128?
Between 11.29pm on 16 January 2019 and 1.33am on 17 January 2019, after drinking heavily, M Krishnan repeatedly hit his live-in partner at their shared home, causing her death. He pleaded guilty to culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Did M Krishnan qualify for diminished responsibility in [2024] SGHC 128?
No. A psychiatric report concluded M Krishnan suffered from Intermittent Explosive Disorder, with an additive effect from intoxication, but it was not disputed that these conditions did not sufficiently impair his mental responsibility to qualify for the partial defence of diminished responsibility.
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Judgment
Read the full judgment on the official Singapore Courts portal.
Read on eLitigationSource: eLitigation ([2024] SGHC 128)