'Mary murdered in cold blood'; accused pleads not guilty
The state established that the cause of death was very clear; Mary had died of injuries sustained to her head and neck.
By
Aman Haleem
The Prosecutor General's Office (PG) on Thursday that Marvin and Lamha Abdul Rahma planned to murder Marvin's wife Mary Grace, a Filipino nurse who worked at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), and that the case provides irrefutable evidence against the accused.
Marvin took Mary’s body to the hospital on 19 October 2021 claiming that she had committed suicide by hanging in a room at the apartment on the first floor of MA. Udhuheykokaage in Male where the couple lived.
Since then:
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An investigation was launched into the death after the police suspected it of foul play
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An autopsy on Mary's body confirmed she was killed
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The act was allegedly carried out by Lamha, a Maldivian who was romantically married with Marvin
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Both denied the charges against them, hearings for which were held behind closed doors.
The preliminary statement was submitted at the beginning of Mary's murder trial on Thursday.
Mavin is charged with premeditated homicide.
Lamha is charged with:
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Willing participation in premeditated homicide
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Criminal trespassing on personal property
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Theft of drugs from an unauthorised place
Speaking at the preliminary hearing, state prosecutor Shama Naseer said that there are many things to be proven through state presented evidence.
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Mary and Marvin cannot be divorced under Philippine laws
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Marvin and Lamha attempted to get married in the Maldives, and sought information on the matter
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A premeditated act; the two accused have all faculties for the murder
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Succinylcholine, a medication used to cause short-term paralysis as part of general anaesthesia, was found in Mary’s blood; it is a drug only available in hospitals and with authorised access
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Three injections and controlled medications were found in Lamha's house; a Succinylcholine bottle and an injection included
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Marvin Google searched for easy ways to render someone unconscious on the day Mary Grace was killed; his son had been handed over to Lamha
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Lamha claimed she had not gone to the victim’s address that day, but is confirmed by evidence that she had been there at 12:23 pm, and left 20 minutes later.
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There was no sign of life when Mary was taken to the hospital; first responders concur
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Lamha is aware Mary had died before the time she attested by
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Marvin’s statements on Mary’s death are inconsistent
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No evidence supporting Mary had killed herself; no prior indications by victim either
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Suspicious scene evident in the room where Mary died
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Mary feared for her safety; she had accused Lamha
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Mary’s death was not caused by hanging, but serious injuries to her head and neck
At the preliminary hearing, Marvin's lawyer Ismail Mohamed and Lamha's lawyer Abdulla Shair both said that their clients deny the charges, and affirmed that their innocence will be proven in the testimony of state witnesses and defence witnesses during the trial.
Points noted by Marvin's lawyer:
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State established cause of death is unclear; if it was the result of an administered drug or injury.
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Five witnesses presented in Marvin's defence.
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Marvin denies everything he is charged with in the case.
Points noted by Lamha's lawyer:
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Lamha had nothing to do with Mary's death; she didn't have the opportunity
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What was found in the house was not "legally" obtained
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Lamha said she did not know of Mary's death before the time she attests by
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There is more evidence; undisclosed at this time
Although Marvin's lawyer had said the cause of death is unclear, the state responded that the cause of death was very clear; Mary had died of injuries sustained to her head and neck.
Marvin will not be issued a death sentence because he is not Muslim.
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The basic penalty for the crime is 10 years in prison
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State has 110 exhibits against Marvin
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Sentence may be longer based on further findings of the homicide
