Journal No. 5 (15th Week): Attempted Murder

A passer-by saw Mr Ong wielding a knife and repeatedly stabbed someone lying on the ground with the knife. The passer-by called the police, and Mr Ong was taken to the police station. The passer-by accompanied the policeman, and at the police station, he alleged that Mr Ong murdered the man. Mr Ong demanded that he be allowed to speak to a lawyer of his choice; however, the police denied him access to the lawyer, thinking that this could come after their interrogation. When Mr Ong was subsequently charged in court, his lawyer argued that by precluding Mr Ong access to lawyer during interrogation, he was coerced into making false statement. Accordingly, his lawyer argued that the statements made by Mr Ong should be invalidated. The presiding judge agreed, adding that the right of access to lawyer is well laid down in the Penal Code, and any abrogation of such right would invalidate statements made by the accused.