No tyre marks, no crushed bones: Defence challenges eyewitness accounts in murder trial of senior cop accused of running down teen with Ativa

IPOH, Aug 13 — Senior police officer DSP Mohd Nazri Abdul Razak is accused of running over 17-year-old Muhammad Zaharif Affendi Muhd Zamrie with a Perodua Ativa on December 15, 2023. However, the defence team presented evidence challenging this eyewitness account at the High Court in a pre-trial hearing. According to lead defence counsel M. Athimulan, forensic evidence contradicted the claim that the teenager was run over, as there were no signs of crushed bones, destroyed organs, or tyre marks on the victim's body or clothing.

The defence argued that the injuries were more consistent with the teen being thrown from the motorcycle upon contact. Athimulan contended that eyewitness testimonies were unreliable, as they contradicted expert medical evidence and were influenced by the trauma of the event and social media. The defence also highlighted the lack of "black box" data from the Ativa, which was crucial in determining the accused's intentions and speed at the time of the incident. The trial is expected to resume the following day at 10 am.