A 24-year-old Singaporean of Indian decent was sentenced to death by the High Court here for murdering his teenage ex-girlfriend.
Pathip Selvan Sugumaran did not dispute the charge that he killed Jeevitha Panippan, 18, more than two years back in the suburb housing estate of Ang Mo Kio.
However, he maintained that he was provoked by her remarks about her new beau being better in bed than him. Pathip claimed in the court that he lost self-control and his mind went "blank" during the stabbing, The Straits Times reported.
The High Court also rejected Pathip's defences, including psychiatrist Tommy Tan's testimony that the accused had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a condition associated with impulsiveness and rage, a mental state that reduced his responsibility for the killing.
Jeevitha was found dead with 15 external injuries, including three fatal blows, on July 8, 2008.
Justice Kan Ting Chiu dismissed claim of the mind going blank and ADHD symptom of Pathip.
Family members and friends packed the court room and wailed as the sentence was passed yesterday. Defence lawyer Subhas Anandan said his client would be appealing against the mandatory death sentence by the Court.