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The man who allegedly strangled his twin sons to death intends to plead guilty to culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Set to plead guilty to culpable homicide
Xavier Yap Jung Houn, 49, is facing two counts of culpable homicide not amounting to murder for allegedly strangling to death his 11-year-old twin sons, Aston Yap Kai Shern and Ethan Yap E Chern, in a covered canal at a playground in Greenridge Crescent between 4:25pm and 6:20pm on Jan. 21, 2022, according to charge sheets seen by Mothership.
Yap, who has been remanded since his arrest on Jan. 22, 2022, appeared in court via video-link on Apr. 18.
His lawyer, Patrick Nai from Tan Lee & Partners, told the court that Yap intends to plead guilty, CNA reported.
Besides Nai, Yap is also represented by Choo Si Sen, Choo Yean Lin from Tan Lee & Partners, and Muhammad Razeen Sayed Majunoon from Advance Law.
His pre-trial conference will be held at the High Court on May 26, The Straits Times reported.
Yap was originally facing two murder charges.
Both charges were reduced to culpable homicide not amounting to murder on Feb. 23, 2023.
Yap was diagnosed by an Institute of Mental Health doctor with major depressive disorder of moderate severity during the commission of the offences.
Those convicted of culpable homicide not amounting to murder can be sentenced to life imprisonment with caning, or imprisonment for up to 20 years and a fine or caning.
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Top image from Lianhe Zaobao and by Mothership