SINGAPORE : The prosecution in the trial of two Indonesian maids accused of murder refuted a psychiatrist's view that one of them had acted in a lapse of self-control.
They challenged Dr Douglas Kong's view that Juminem, 19, had acted in a lapse of self-control brought on by severe provocation by her employer Esther Ang.
Juminem and another maid Siti, 16, were charged with the murder of Madam Ang.
In its questioning, the prosecution reminded the court of Juminem asking Siti to hit her on the head with a bottle to make it look like a robbery had occurred.
The prosecution suggested this ability to formulate a plan showed Juminem was capable of logical thought during the incident.
Dr Kong objected, saying people could carry out many seemingly complicated activities in a state of numbness and incoherence.
He argued that only people under great emotional duress could hurt themselves without thought of pain, as Juminem eventually did in smashing the bottle against her own forehead.
The defence also made the point that although Juminem took nine credit cards from Madam Ang's handbag, she had neither owned nor learnt to use one before.
The prosecution submitted that Juminem exaggerated to Dr Kong the symptoms of depression she suffered, which she had not mentioned to the prosecution psychiatrist, Dr Kenneth Koh.
These details were also not found in the police statements Juminem had made earlier.
Dr Koh will be called to testify on Wednesday. - CNA