Public Prosecutor v Anthony Ler & Z: Abetment to Murder & Murder under Penal Code

In Public Prosecutor v Anthony Ler Wee Teang and Another, the High Court of Singapore heard the case against Anthony Ler, who was accused of abetting Z, a 15-year-old boy, to murder his wife, Annie Leong Wai Muen. Z was charged with murder. The court found Z guilty of murder and sentenced him to be detained during the President's pleasure due to his age. Anthony Ler was found guilty of abetment to murder and sentenced to death.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Anthony Ler was found guilty of abetment to murder and sentenced to death. Z was found guilty of murder and sentenced to be detained during the President's pleasure.

1.3 Case Type

Criminal

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Anthony Ler abetted Z to murder his wife. Z was found guilty of murder and Anthony Ler of abetment to murder.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Public ProsecutorProsecutionGovernment AgencyJudgment for ProsecutionWon
Low Cheong Yeow of Attorney-General’s Chambers
Edwin San of Attorney-General’s Chambers
Anthony Ler Wee TeangDefendantIndividualGuilty of Abetment to MurderLost
ZDefendantIndividualGuilty of MurderLost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Tay Yong KwangJudicial CommissionerYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Low Cheong YeowAttorney-General’s Chambers
Edwin SanAttorney-General’s Chambers
Anand NalachandranHarry Elias Partnership
Subhas AnandanHarry Elias Partnership
Peter OngThomas Loh Partnership
Edwin SeahEdwin Seah & K S Teo

4. Facts

  1. Anthony Ler and Annie Leong were married and had a daughter but were separated.
  2. Anthony Ler was in financial difficulties.
  3. Anthony Ler discussed killing his wife with several people, including Z.
  4. Z stabbed Annie Leong, causing her death.
  5. Z confessed to the murder and implicated Anthony Ler.
  6. Anthony Ler initially denied involvement but later admitted to discussing the killing with Z.
  7. Anthony Ler and Annie Leong purchased a maisonette on 1 August 1996 for $630,000.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Public Prosecutor v Anthony Ler Wee Teang and Another, CC 59/2001, [2001] SGHC 361

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Annie Leong was attacked at the lift lobby on the fourth floor of Blk 923 Hougang Ave 9.
Annie Leong succumbed to her injuries.
Z and Anthony Ler were arrested.
A cautioned statement was recorded from Z.
A statement was recorded from Anthony Ler.
Statements were taken from Anthony Ler.
Statements were recorded from Z.
Statements were recorded from Z.
Statements were taken from Anthony Ler.
Decision Date

7. Legal Issues

  1. Abetment to Murder
    • Outcome: The court found Anthony Ler guilty of abetting Z to commit murder.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Related Cases:
      • [1992] 1 SLR 45
      • [2000] 1 SLR 205
  2. Murder
    • Outcome: The court found Z guilty of murder.
    • Category: Substantive
  3. Admissibility of Confession
    • Outcome: Z's statements to the police were admitted as confessions.
    • Category: Procedural
    • Related Cases:
      • [1999] 1 SLR 25
      • [1994] 1 SLR 135

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Conviction
  2. Death Penalty

9. Cause of Actions

  • Murder
  • Abetment

10. Practice Areas

  • Criminal Law
  • Homicide

11. Industries

  • Legal

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
Chai Chien Wei Kelvin v PPCourt of AppealYes[1999] 1 SLR 25SingaporeCited for the meaning of 'confession'.
Chin Seow Noi & Ors v PPCourt of AppealYes[1994] 1 SLR 135SingaporeCited regarding Section 30 of the Evidence Act and the use of a co-accused's confession.
PP v Lim Tee HianN/AYes[1992] 1 SLR 45SingaporeCited for the definition of abetment by instigation.
Jimina Jacee v PPN/AYes[2000] 1 SLR 205SingaporeCited for the definition of abetment by instigation.

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
No applicable rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Penal Code, Chapter 224, Section 302Singapore
Penal Code, Chapter 224, Section 109Singapore
Penal Code, Section 6Singapore
Penal Code, Section 94Singapore
Penal Code, Section 300Singapore
Evidence Act, Section 14Singapore
Evidence Act, Section 30Singapore
Evidence Act, Section 35(1)(c)(i)Singapore
Evidence Act, Section 35(1)(c)(ii)Singapore
Criminal Procedure Code, Section 122(6)Singapore
Criminal Procedure Code, Section 213Singapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Abetment
  • Instigation
  • Confession
  • Duress
  • Financial Difficulties
  • Matrimonial Problems

15.2 Keywords

  • Murder
  • Abetment
  • Criminal Law
  • Singapore
  • High Court

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Murder99
Criminal Law95
Abetment85
Penal Code80
Sentencing70
Evidence65
Criminal Procedure60
Public Prosecutor40
Obstructing, preventing, perverting or defeating course of justice20
Guarantee10
Criminal Breach of Trust5
Women’s Charter5
Cheating5

16. Subjects

  • Criminal Law
  • Homicide
  • Abetment