A former EPDP member has been sentenced to death for the rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl.
As well as the death sentence for murder, Kanthasamy Jegatheeswaran was also sentenced to twenty years rigorous imprisonment for rape and sexual torture, and ordered to pay 10 lakh rupees to the victim’s parents by Jaffna High Court judge M. Ilancheliyan.
Laksini Jesuthas, aged 12 at the time, was raped and murdered in Neduntheevu (Delft Island) on the 3rd of March, 2012.
The case was noted for its extensive use of forensic and genetic evidence at trial, in the absence of eyewitness testimonies.
An autopsy concluded that Laksini had been raped, vaginally and anally, and had been killed by being struck on the head with a rock.
Bite marks on the victim’s arms were found to match those of Jegatheeswaran’s. Genetic tests of semen found in the body of the victim also matched the DNA of the accused.
Furthermore blood stains and hair found on Jegatheeswaran’s saram also were also complete matches with the DNA of the victim.
Asked if he had anything to say before sentencing, the accused said he was being sentenced for a crime he did not commit and that he would appeal to a higher court to secure his freedom.
