Chan Chim Yee v PP: Murder Conviction Upheld Despite Diminished Responsibility Defense

In Chan Chim Yee v Public Prosecutor, the Court of Appeal of Singapore dismissed Chan Chim Yee's appeal against his conviction for murder. Chan was found guilty in the High Court of causing the death of Ooi Ang Yen. He raised an alibi defense, claiming he was at work, and a defense of diminished responsibility. The Court rejected both defenses, finding witness testimony and other evidence credible. The Court upheld the conviction and the sentence of death.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

Court of Appeal

1.2 Outcome

Appeal dismissed.

1.3 Case Type

Criminal

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Chan Chim Yee's murder conviction was upheld. The Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal, rejecting his alibi and diminished responsibility defenses.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Public ProsecutorRespondentGovernment AgencyAppeal DismissedWon
Winston Cheng Howe of Deputy Public Prosecutor
Chan Chim YeeAppellantIndividualAppeal DismissedLost
Franxis Xavier of Assigned Counsel
Quek Bee Choo of Assigned Counsel

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Chao Hick TinJustice of AppealYes
Lai Kew ChaiJudgeNo
L P TheanJustice of AppealNo

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Winston Cheng HoweDeputy Public Prosecutor
Franxis XavierAssigned Counsel
Quek Bee ChooAssigned Counsel

4. Facts

  1. The appellant was convicted of murdering the deceased by stabbing her.
  2. The appellant and the deceased had a prior relationship.
  3. The deceased ended the relationship with the appellant and began a relationship with another colleague.
  4. Two witnesses identified the appellant as the assailant.
  5. The appellant raised an alibi defense, claiming he was at work.
  6. The appellant also raised a defense of diminished responsibility, claiming he was suffering from an abnormality of mind.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Chan Chim Yee v Public Prosecutor, Cr App 29/1999, [2000] SGCA 6

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Chan Chim Yee and Ooi Ang Yen became acquainted.
Chan Chim Yee confronted Ooi Ang Yen at her workplace.
Chan Chim Yee confronted Ooi Ang Yen and Wong Hon Yee, hitting Wong on the head.
Ooi Ang Yen was murdered at the car park of Block 1002, Jalan Bukit Merah.
Cheah Choy Keng made a statement to the police.
Tay Ah Nai identified Chan Chim Yee at an identification parade.
Case Number Cr App 29/1999
Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal.

7. Legal Issues

  1. Identification of Appellant
    • Outcome: The Court found the identification of the appellant by one witness to be safe and reliable.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Witness credibility
      • Inconsistent statements
  2. Defence of Diminished Responsibility
    • Outcome: The Court rejected the defence of diminished responsibility, finding no clinical evidence of a fugue state.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Dissociative Fugue State
      • Hysterical Confabulation

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Appeal against conviction
  2. Appeal against sentence

9. Cause of Actions

  • Murder

10. Practice Areas

  • Criminal Law
  • Appeals

11. Industries

  • No industries specified

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
No cited cases

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
No applicable rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Penal Code (Cap 224) s 300Singapore
Penal Code (Cap 224) s 302Singapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Murder
  • Diminished responsibility
  • Identification
  • Alibi
  • Dissociative fugue state
  • Hysterical confabulation

15.2 Keywords

  • Murder
  • Criminal Law
  • Singapore
  • Appeal
  • Diminished Responsibility

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Criminal Law95
Murder90
Diminished Responsibility80
Identification of Assailant70
Evidence Law60

16. Subjects

  • Criminal Law
  • Evidence
  • Psychiatry