Mohamed Azam Abdul Rasib, 29, nodded after the charge was read out to him before magistrate Roslizi Sulaiman. Roslizi set March 28 for mention of the case pending the post-mortem, chemical and forensic reports.

No plea was recorded.

Azam was accused of murdering Hamisah Ismail, 56, at a house in Pasir Penambang, Kuala Selangor between 8.10am and 6.08pm on Jan 15. He was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which provides for the death penalty, if convicted.

Deputy public prosecutor Kenneth Oon prosecuted while Azam was represented by lawyer Naim Mahmud.

Earlier, Naim applied to the court to allow Azam to undergo psychiatric evaluation at any government hospital.

Roslizi said the application could be filed when the case is transferred to the High Court.