Incident Overview
On August 11, 1998, 43-year-old Ooi Ang Yen, a factory worker and mother of four, was fatally stabbed by her ex-boyfriend in a car park near her workplace in Bukit Merah, Singapore. Ooi’s ex-boyfriend, Chan Chim Yee, a 41-year-old married man with two children, was apprehended twelve days later and charged with her murder. Chan's arrest followed his attempt to confront Ooi after she expressed her intention to leave him for another man. Despite Chan's defenses of an alibi and diminished responsibility, the court found him guilty of murder, sentencing him to death. His appeal was denied, and he was executed on September 15, 2000.
The Crime
On the evening of August 11, Chan attacked Ooi with a knife, inflicting multiple stab wounds to her arm, throat, and chest. Despite immediate medical attention from her colleagues and a subsequent rush to Alexandra Hospital, Ooi was pronounced dead within twenty minutes. Witnesses, including Ooi’s colleagues, identified Chan as the attacker. Prior to the stabbing, Chan had been involved in ongoing disputes with Ooi over her new relationship, which had led to their deteriorating relationship.
Investigation and Arrest
Following witness interviews and a nationwide manhunt, Chan was captured on August 23, 1998, in Toa Payoh. He was charged with Ooi’s murder the following day. Chan, formerly a seaman and working as a cleaner at the time, was linked to the case through multiple witness accounts and forensic evidence.
Trial and Defenses
Chan’s trial began on October 25, 1999, with the prosecution presenting evidence that Chan had repeatedly confronted Ooi about her new relationship. Chan’s defense team argued that he had an alibi, claiming he was at work during the stabbing. However, this was refuted by witnesses and evidence. Chan also argued diminished responsibility, citing a psychiatric condition that allegedly impaired his judgment. However, the court found this defense insufficient, noting discrepancies between expert testimonies.
Verdict and Execution
Justice Kan Ting Chiu found Chan guilty of murder on November 5, 1999, rejecting both of Chan’s defenses. Chan was sentenced to death as per Singapore’s mandatory punishment for murder. His appeal was rejected by the Court of Appeal on January 24, 2000. Chan was executed on September 15, 2000, at Changi Prison, alongside other death row inmates.
Context and Impact
The case of Ooi Ang Yen was one of the notable violent crimes against women in Singapore during the late 1990s. It highlighted issues surrounding domestic violence and the judicial handling of severe criminal cases in the country.
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