The High Court in Kuantan today ordered businessman Asni Omar to enter defence for killing a French woman, Stephanie Foray, in an unnumbered house in Kampung Tekek, Tioman Island in May 2011.

Judge Mariana Yahya made the decision after hearing the testimonies of 44 witnesses between May 17 and Dec 20 last year, and concluding that the prosecution had successfully established a prima facie case against the accused.

The woman’s mother, Irene Mortel, who was also present at the court, was seen shedding tears after the judge read out the decision.

Asni was accused of killing Foray between 8pm on May 10, 2011 and noon on May 12, 2011.  

The offence under Section 302 of the Penal Code carries a mandatory death penalty upon conviction.

The court set April 28 to May 9 for defence proceedings.

Deputy public prosecutors Amer Abu Bakar Abdullah, Nor Azizah Mohamed and Farhah Nazari appeared for the prosecution, while the accused was represented by lawyers Ng See Teong, Mohd Hisham Abd Rahim and Ibrahim Kamaruddin.

- Bernama