Man accused of killing dad has charge amended to homicide

The man accused of killing his father in their West Coast home had his charges amended yesterday to culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Mark Tan Peng Liat, 29, who ran a talent agency, had earlier faced a murder charge, which carries the death penalty, reported The Straits Times.

According to court documents, Tan allegedly committed the act on Feb 10 this year at about 5.25pm at their house at 58, West Coast Rise.

He allegedly applied a headlock and choke hold on his father's neck.

SERIOUS INJURY

Tan was said to have done these acts knowing that they were likely to cause injury serious enough to lead to the death of his father, Mr Tan Kok Keng, 67.

He was also slapped with an additional charge of having 15 airsoft guns in his possession without a licence, reported Shin Min Daily News.

He wore a purple prison jumpsuit when he attended court yesterday.

Tan, who was denied bail earlier because of his murder charge, was later released on $50,000 bail.

The prosecution had asked for it to be set at $100,000, with his passport impounded.

But defence lawyer Derek Kang asked for bail to be set at $30,000 to $40,000 instead, citing that his client did not have any previous convictions and the incident had resulted from an argument with his father.

District Judge Eddy Tham settled on $50,000 and ordered that Tan's passport be impounded.

Tan will next appear in court on Nov 16.

If convicted of manslaughter, he can be jailed up to 10 years, fined and/or caned. The maximum penalty for the other charge is a $5,000 fine and three years' jail.