Fatal fight at Orchard Towers Apex court dismisses man's appeal against murder conviction

No room for doubt he had intended to inflict serious injury in victim's head region, it says

- Selina Lum

A 33-year-old man who fatally stabbed another man during a fight at Orchard Towers in 2019 has failed in his appeal against his murder conviction.

Tan Sen Yang was sentenced to life imprisonment and 12 strokes of the cane in April 2024.

On May 15, arguing before the Court of Appeal, Tan's lawyer Chooi Jing Yen said his client did not intend to inflict the fatal injury.

Tan was holding a karambit knife with the cutting edge facing outwards when he threw three punches at the victim, 31-year-old Satheesh Noel Gobidass, who died from a stab wound to the neck.

Mr Chooi argued that Tan was aiming for the victim's face because he did not intend to cause any serious injuries.

He contended that Tan should be cleared of murder, and instead be convicted of either causing grievous hurt with a dangerous weapon or causing death by a rash act.

Alternatively, Mr Chooi argued, Tan could be convicted of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

He argued that the killing took place in the context of a sudden fight, and that Tan was suffering from adjustment disorder and alcohol-use disorder, which diminished his responsibility for his actions.