Chinese national wife murder: Toxicologist testifies at trial  

The accused being escorted by a police officer.

By Dorcas Ting

KUCHING, Sept 19: The pharmacist alleged to have killed his Chinese national wife was brought before the Kuching High Court for trial.

Wong Zing Haw, 41, was charged for the murder of Yan Xi, 31, between Feb 25 and March 3, 2018.

The charge under Section 302 of the Penal Code provides for a death sentence upon conviction.

Hazalinawati Zailani, a toxicologist from the Department of Chemistry Malaysia, testified in the High Court, here, today, where 65 exhibits were tendered in court.

Among the exhibits included three saws, one electronic saw, three different brands of bleach, one multi-action cleaner, one laundry detergent, one methylated spirit, three cotton swabs, the accused’s blood specimen, the victim’s brain specimen and the victim’s hair specimen.

Hazalinawati confirmed that she received these exhibits from Inspector Norhidaya Ismail between March 7 and March 16, 2018.

Among the exhibits were three envelopes, each with one specimen bag consisting one plastic container labelled “MRS X” sealed with security seal label containing a cotton swab each. No presence of Hypochlorite were found from the three swabs.

On March 19, 2019, she received the accused’s blood specimen and completed the examination and analysis on April 6, 2018. No presence of ethyl alcohol and common basic drugs were found in the accused blood specimen.

On March 27, 2019, the toxicologist started examination and analysis on one plastic container labelled “MRS X” sealed with security seal label containing a brain specimen. On analysis, she did not detect the presence of common basic drugs in the brain specimen.

She examined and analysed one plastic container labelled “MRS X” sealed with security seal label containing hair specimen on March 20, 2018.

The plastic container was sealed in a security bag and was sent to Department of Chemistry Malaysia in Petaling Jaya on March 20 for analysis. Report was received on May 21, 2018.

On April 3, 2018, she examined five submitted exhibits, which were two envelopes and three packages that contained Clorox, Cocorex, Cocorex Bleach Lemon Fresh, Dettol Disinfectant Multi Action Cleaner, Ecosense Melapower 6x Fresh Scent Laundry Detergent and methylated spirit.

Hypochlorite, a common active ingredient in the household bleaching products, were detected in the Clorox, Cocorex and Cocorex Bleach Lemon Fresh.

When asked if Hypochlorite will loose its strength when in contact with sunlight, she confirmed that it would. When asked whether Hypochlorite could affect one’s DNA, Hazalinawati said she would leave it to the DNA chemist expert to answer.

DPP Musli prosecuted the case, while the accused is represented by Counsel Jubilant Austinway and Counsel Mohamad Fsirus Masri. — DayakDaily