The Court of Appeal in Putrajaya today upheld the death sentence on former Indonesian security guard for the murder of Ambank officer Norazita Abu Talib, two years ago.

A three-member bench chaired by Justice Aziah Ali, in a unanimous decision, dismissed La Ode Ardi Rasila’s appeal against his conviction and death sentence.

Justice Aziah said the court found there were sufficient evidence to support the findings of the High Court that La Ode, 38, was guilty of committing the offence.

“His conviction is safe. The conviction and death sentence is affirmed,” she said.

The court also upheld La Ode’s conviction and death sentence on the second charge of firing a shot using a pump gun when committing robbery at the bank with intention to cause Norazita’s death.

The other two judges presiding on the panel were Justice Ahmadi Asnawi and Abdul Rahman Sebli.

On Aug 8, last year, the Shah Alam High Court sentenced La Ode to death after finding him guilty of the two offences he had committed inside the building of Ambank Subang Jaya branch in Jalan USJ Sentral 2, Subang Jaya, between 6pm and 6.30pm on Oct 23, 2013.

According to the facts of the case,  Norazita, 37, and another bank officer were placing cash in the vault when La Ode, who was on duty as a relief security guard at the branch, fired a shot, hitting Norazita on the face, causing her to fall.

La Ode then pulled the other bank officer out of the vault and proceeded to take out cash of RM450,000 before fleeing the bank.

The police investigation showed that part of the money was recovered from another Indonesian security guard who confirmed that the accused had given him the money.

La Ode was subsequently arrested in Johor and police recovered the pump gun in a drain in Subang Jaya.

La Ode has one more chance to appeal against the decision, that is to the Federal Court.

He was represented by counsel S Selvi, while deputy public prosecutor Tengku Amir Zaki Tengku Abdul Rahman appeared for the prosecution.

- Bernama