This article first appeared in The StraitsTimes on July 16, 2013

THE policeman at the centre of the Kovan double murder betrayed no emotion in the dock yesterday as he was charged with the brutal slaying of a father and son.

Iskandar Rahmat, 34, is accused of killing car workshop owner Tan Boon Sin, 66, and his 42-year-old son.

He faces the death penalty if convicted.

The senior staff sergeant is believed to be the first active duty police officer here to be charged with murder in recent years.

The 14-year veteran of the force made a two-minute courtroom appearance, during which the charges were read out.

For a brief moment, his eyes scanned the packed public gallery for familiar faces. But he did not react, though two women were later seen leaving the court, one of them in tears.

Both the victims were allegedly attacked at a Hillside Drive terrace house belonging to the father at about 3.30pm last Wednesday.

His son, businessman Tan Chee Heong, was reported to have staggered from the house, bleeding profusely from his neck.

He was then dragged for nearly 1km by the family's Toyota Camry before the body was dislodged near Kovan MRT station.

The father was later found dead at the house - also reportedly with wounds to the neck.

Iskandar was arrested in Johor Baru last Friday night after a 54-hour manhunt.

Yesterday, the police suspended him from duty without pay.

He had also been facing financial difficulties and disciplinary proceedings. District Judge Kessler Soh yesterday adjourned the case to next Monday.

In the meantime, Iskandar will be remanded at Central Police Division for further investigation.

Additional reporting by Jalelah Abu Baker