The suspect in the slaying of a priest at St. Joseph’s Church was charged with three additional counts of carrying weapons in public without a valid cause on Monday ( Mar 17 ).
Basnayake Keith Spencer, 37, is currently facing four counts complete.
He was recently accused of using a folding knife to stab Father Christopher Lee Kwong Heng in the mouth at around 6.30pm on November 9, 2024 at the temple in Upper Bukit Timah, causing a commotion.
In the most recent allegations, Basnayake is accused of having three arms at the temple on the same situation. A sportfishing gaff , a shaft with a strong hook or rise at the end, and a tilt knife were used to make these.
On April 14, Basnayake may go back to judge for a pre-trial event. He has been on trial since being charged on November 11 last year, and he has recently been denied bail out of concern for public safety.
According to the command sheets, Father Lee had an 8 cm-long laceration on his mouth, a 3 cm cut on his upper lip, and a 4 cm cut in his mouth’s corner.
Six days after the incident, the parish priest underwent surgery to heal his scars.
Carrying weaponry in open spaces without a legal function is a non-bailable offence that can result in at least six cane strokes and up to three years in prison.
If found guilty of deliberately causing severe harm, Basnayake may be given a sentence of life in prison or up to 15 years in prison, a great, and caning.