By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, Nov 19: The Federal Court has upheld the death sentence of 39-year-old Vincent Marcos, who was convicted of murdering his disabled two-month-old son in Bintulu nine years ago, dismissing his final appeal.
A three-judge panel, led by Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Datuk Azizah Nawawi and comprising Justices Datuk Rhodzariah Bujang and Datuk Azimah Omar, unanimously affirmed the High Court’s 2018 ruling against Vincent.
The bench condemned the brutality of the crime, noting that the victim was a defenceless infant and that the act was committed by his own father.
The court stated that the evidence clearly supported the trial judge’s findings and saw no reason to interfere with the death sentence imposed on Aug 2, 2018.
Vincent had been charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code for killing his son, Yohanes Vincent, at their Bintulu quarters between 7pm and 10pm on April 28, 2016.
During the proceedings, Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Fuad Abdul Aziz told the court that the infant had suffered severe violence at Vincent’s hands. Evidence showed that Vincent had grabbed the baby by the legs and slammed him onto a sofa, causing fatal injuries.
Court records revealed a history of abusive behaviour. Vincent had repeatedly accused his second wife of infidelity and prevented her from caring for the child, who was from his previous marriage.
In March 2016, the baby’s swollen foot raised concerns of abuse, but Vincent refused medical treatment, opting instead for assistance from a ‘bomoh’ (traditional healer).
On the night of April 28, 2016, during a quarrel, Vincent again assaulted the infant by lifting him by the legs and slamming him onto a sofa, leaving the child motionless throughout the night.
The following morning, his wife found ants on the baby’s body and rushed him to Bintulu Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
A post-mortem examination revealed severe head injuries, multiple fractures, and signs of repeated abuse.
Vincent was represented by court-appointed lawyer Louis Jarau Patrick. — DayakDaily
