Judge Ghazali Cha handed down the judgment after finding the accused, K Murugan, 46, failed to raise reasonable doubt against the prosecution’s case.

Murugan was charged with murdering M Sakunthala, 64, and her children – K Rajeswary, 29, and K Manivannam, 33, – at No 2, Jalan Melur 2, Taman Sri Ramal, between 10.30pm on March 31, 2012 and 2.30am on April 1, 2012.

The charge was made under Section 302 of the Penal Code which carries the mandatory death sentence upon conviction.

Ghazali also sentenced Murugan to 30 years’ jail after finding him guilty of giving drinks tainted with Paraquat poison that could have caused the death of two other people at the same place, time and date.

The two in the case are Sakunthala’s husband, M Karuppanan, 66, and their daughter, K Malati, 32.

The charge, under Section 307 (1) of the Penal Code, provides imprisonment for up to 20 years and a fine, if found guilty.

Murugan was ordered to serve the jail sentence from the date of his arrest on April 18, 2012.

In his judgment, Ghazali said the defence by Murugan was merely a denial and the accused was identified by two witnesses (Karuppanan and Malati) during an identification parade.

“The accused was also lying when he said the jewellery and handphones belonging to Sakunthala and her children, as well as money, were given to him (Murugan) by Karuppanan for safekeeping.

“The accused, in his defence, also said he fled after knowing the three family members were dead, which clearly showed that he is guilty,” he added.

The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Hafizza Sauni, while Murugan was represented by lawyer V Jayamurugan.