Punggol man, 46, gets life sentence for killing drunk neighbour who provoked him with knife

A 46-year-old man living in Sumang Walk in Punggol was sentenced to life imprisonment and 10 strokes of the cane after he stabbed his neighbour to death.

The murder, which took place on Jul. 14, 2021, started out as a confrontation between the victim, Kim Wee Ming, and the accused, Heng Boon Chai.

Both men were the same age.

According to court documents, Heng's unit had a damaged front door, which made a noise whenever Heng or his mother, Ho Yoke Kiew, closed it.

The noise frustrated Kim because it disturbed his sleep.

For a period of time, when there were Covid-19 restrictions in place, Heng's mother would leave her unit to dispose of her trash multiple times at night, and as late as 4am.

This issue became the source of two quarrels between Kim and Ho over the years.

During one such confrontation, Kim was in an intoxicated state and hurled vulgarities at Heng and Ho.

Heng apologised to Kim and explained that his front door was damaged.

Heng also told Kim that he “had killed people before”.

According to court documents, in 2007, Heng killed his uncle by stabbing him multiple times in the face.

Heng, who was 29 years old then, was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and sentenced to eight years' imprisonment.

In his statement, he said that he told Kim about his past because he wanted the latter to stop "disturbing" him.

Stabbed neighbour who provoked him

On Jul. 14, 2021, around 2pm, Kim returned home in an intoxicated state.

He slammed his gate multiple times before he taunted Heng in Hokkien by calling him an “ah gua” (sissy) and “bo chi” (having no guts).

He challenged Heng to a fight.

Heng tried to pacify Kim.

However, Kim reached through Heng's gate and punched him on the right side of his face.

Heng said in his statement that he did not feel anger or pain then.

Instead, he divulged to Kim that he had a mental problem, and reiterated that he killed someone before, and as a result, had spent time in jail.

Heng advised Kim to refrain from disturbing him and head home instead, especially since he was drunk.

Kim went back home but returned a moment later with a 15cm-long knife, which he used to intimidate Heng.

Heng told Kim to hand over the knife, which Kim flung through Heng's gate.

Heng then took the knife and stabbed the right side of Kim's neck through the gate.

As the neighbours were alerted to the commotion, Kim pressed on his bleeding neck and made multiple calls to the police.

Meanwhile, Heng called his father and explained that he had killed someone.

He requested his father to take care of Ho.

By then, Kim had lit a cigarette and was smoking outside Heng's unit while scolding him.

Kim told Heng, “If I die, you die.”

“I told him already that I ever murder people."

Not expecting Kim to be alive after the initial stab, Heng opened his gate and walked towards Kim.

He then proceeded to stab Kim in his throat and the left side of his neck.

Kim tried to block the knife with his left hand.

But Heng pushed his hand away and continued stabbing until Kim collapsed.

The entire ordeal was witnessed by the other neighbours who were in shock.

When one of them asked Heng, "Why must do like that?", he replied calmly, “I told him already that I ever murder people."

He then returned to his flat and called his mother and sister to inform them that he had killed a man.

No clear evidence that Heng was suffering a relapse

A psychiatrist from the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) said that there was no clear evidence that Heng was suffering a psychotic relapse when he murdered Kim.

Instead, the psychiatrist said that Heng's actions seemed to be driven by Kim's provocations and perceived threat to Ho.

In her sentencing, High Court Judge Audrey Lim said Heng’s acts did not show viciousness or blatant disregard for human life, and as such, did not warrant the death penalty.

Top images: Shin Min Daily News, Google Maps