Following the conclusion of the prosecution’s case, Justice K Muniandy determined there was a prima facie case against 50-year-old Chuah Chin Hoe.

“At the end of the prosecution’s case, (the court) concludes that the accused was the last person with his wife in their room the night before and on the morning after she was found dead.

“The chain of circumstances relied on by the prosecution to prove the charge against the accused is most compelling,” said the judge, adding that this calls for an explanation by the accused.

“Therefore, this court has decided to order the accused to enter his defence to the charge preferred against him pursuant to Section 180(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code,” he said.

Following this, Chuah’s lawyer Geethan Ram Vincent said his client would testify from the witness stand.

Muniandy then set two days of defence proceedings from April 24 to 25.

Chuah is charged with killing Lau Bee Hong, 46, at a condominium unit along Jalan Genting Klang, Setapak, between 2.30am and 9.30am on May 9, 2021.

A total of 17 prosecution witnesses, including the couple’s two children, testified during the trial which began on Oct 11, 2022.

The prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutor Zaileen Nadia Zubir. Chuah was also represented by Lavinia Raja and Revin Kumar.