Temple murder suspect taken to crime scene

Murder suspect Loh (in red T-shirt) looking on as police investigators examine an area at the scene of the crime at Chin Long Kong Chinese Temple in Teck Whye Lane yesterday. Loh is accused of killing a man there.
Murder suspect Loh (in red T-shirt) looking on as police investigators examine an area at the scene of the crime at Chin Long Kong Chinese Temple in Teck Whye Lane yesterday. Loh is accused of killing a man there. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN

The suspect in the Teck Whye Lane temple murder case was taken by police investigators to three locations in Marsiling and Choa Chu Kang yesterday morning.

Loh Suan Lit, 47, is accused of killing an unemployed man, Mr Tan Poh Huat, 53, at Chin Long Kong Chinese Temple in the early hours of Feb 14.

A 2m trail of blood was seen outside the prayer hall, while Mr Tan's body lay motionless on the ground.

Loh arrived in a grey unmarked van just after 10am at Block 15, Marsiling Lane, where his rented flat is on the 12th storey.

He stepped out of the van with his wrists and ankles in restraints, flanked by two police officers.

Dressed in a red polo T-shirt and navy shorts, he first led investigators to an area at the void deck, where he is believed to have disposed of the tools allegedly used to commit the murder.

Loh wore a grim expression as he tried to recall the sequence of events. At times, he spoke quietly to a police investigator through a Hokkien translator.

He was also seen gesturing towards the ground next to a kindergarten.

Later, he was taken inside a three-room HDB flat on the 12th storey. Police officers spent more than 20 minutes searching the unit, as curious neighbours looked on.

At 11am, Loh was taken to Yong Heng Hardware Engineering at Block 18, where he combed through several aisles before identifying a hammer and saw.

Mr Tan, who had been living in the temple for the past five years, was reported to have been struck on the back of his head with a hammer.

Finally, at around noon, Loh arrived at the Teck Whye Lane temple. He was taken to individual prayer halls for about five minutes each, and finally to the back of the temple.

He was seen pointing at an area next to a short metal gate, where he is believed to have climbed into the compound from.

After circling the temple once more, he stood by the area where Mr Tan's body was found, as police investigators asked questions.

Loh, who was arrested on Feb 24, has been remanded for a week for further investigation. His case will be mentioned tomorrow.

If convicted of murder, he faces the death penalty.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 03, 2016, with the headline Temple murder suspect taken to crime scene. Subscribe