Teoh inquest Day 8: Pathologist says Teoh may have committed suicide

Coroner's Inquest will resume Monday morning

SHAH ALAM: There is a possibility that political aide Teoh Beng Hock committed suicide by jumping off a high place, an inquest into his death was told Friday.

Dr Khairul Azman Ibrahim, 51, senior medical consultant at the Forensics Department, Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital in Klang, said his finding was based on the absence of any signs of a struggle near the window where Teoh was believed to have fallen from the 14th floor office of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) at Plaza Masalam here on July 16.

"There was no blood stain, smashed glass or any items scattered near the window and an MACC pen, which was in Teoh's pocket, was still there.

"The DNA test also found no DNA traces from the MACC officers, and the injuries (on Teoh's body) did not show any signs of a struggle and were consistent with a fall, " he said when questioned by government-appointed lawyer Tan Hock Chuan who is assisting in the inquest.

Teoh, 30, who was political secretary to Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead on July 16 on the fifth floor corridor of Plaza Masalam, after giving a statement in an investigation into alleged abuse of state government funds.

Questioned by Tan on the possibility of Teoh being suffocated, Dr Khairul said there were no signs that Teoh had suffocated.

He also ruled out the possibility that Teoh's death was accidental as it was hard to believe that someone in a conscious state would slip while standing near the window because the place was not slippery and was carpeted.

"However, there was a possibility that it could have happened when Teoh tried to open the window wide and he was sleepy.

"But this could be questioned because if Teoh had slipped, with the window at his waist level, and fallen, he would have landed in a different position, probably, the head or body first. This is just a possibility, " he added.

Dr Khairul said his findings were based on the post-mortem and toxicology reports, as well as checks at the scene of the incident on July 16 and 22. He said that based on the toxicology report, Teoh was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the incident.

He also told the court that there were several possibilities for a person to fall from a high place.

He could fall accidentally, jump off on his own or be thrown or pushed, he added. - Bernama

The earlier acccount of what happened at the inquest is below.

11.55am: Coroner's Court adjourns, to resume Monday. Dr Khairul will appear again on Monday morning and Dr Prashant will appear Monday afternoon.

11.40am: Gobind argued that Khairul's suicide theory was nought as there were no hand prints or foot prints on the window frame.

11.19am: Gobind Singh Deo cross examines Dr Khairul

11.00am: Court resumes

10.30am: Court takes a short break

10.19am: Tan Hock Chuan: In your opinion, based on post-mortem report, injuries on the deceased, your site visits on July 16 and 22, toxicology reports and DNA reports, is it likely Teoh's death was caused by suicide? Dr Khairul: In my opinion it would likely be that the deceased jumped off. There are signs (of suicide).

10.05am: Dr Khairul says that, in his opinion, there was no conclusive evidence of homicide. He says there were no signs of struggle.

09.25am: Dr Khairul says that he saw no obvious signs that Teoh was dragged.

09.00am: Coroner's Court resumes. Tenth witness Klang Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital (HTAR) senior consultant pathologist Dr Khairul Azman Ibrahim is recalled to take the stand.