He ruled out suicide or homicide as the cause of death.
"There remains unsettled issues on the case of suicide and to find this on guesswork is unacceptable. I rule out verdict of suicide,” he told a packed courtroom.
Azmil said there exists sufficient evidence to show that Teoh's neck injury was pre-fall but "no evidence to confirm that this injury facilitated or contributed to Teoh's demise".
"I rule out the verdict of homicide... I find an open verdict," he said.
Earlier this afternoon, the air was thick with anticipation at the Shah Alam Magistrate's Court, where the long-awaited ruling was to be delivered.
Many had lined up outside the courtroom in the hope of getting in, while about 50 others gathered at the lobby with banners that read '1 Tahun Keadilan Untuk Beng Hock'.
Some had white daisies pinned to their shirts.
Teoh's family arrived at 2pm and had to push through the crowd to take their seats, which were reserved for them by court officials.
DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang and DAP's Serdang parliamentarian Teo Nie Ching were present.
Police trucks were stationed along the road leading up the courthouse while police cones were used to close off one of the lanes nearer to the courthouse.
Eight police personnel were stationed in the courtroom, a heavier presence than during the inquest proceedings.
Teoh, 30, was found dead on July 16, 2009 on the fifth floor landing of Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam, after overnight interrogation by the Selangor Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission at its office on the 14th floor of the building.
The inquest, which began on July 29, 2009, has been fraught with controversy, with expert witnesses giving contradicting evidence on the circumstances of Teoh's death.
Thai pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand testified that she was certain that it was not a case of suicide as the second autopsy conducted found neither defensive injuries on the deceased limbs nor a fracture on the skull typical of suicide by jumping.
She disagreed with British pathologist Dr Peter Vanezis, who testified that the fracture found on Teoh's left ankle showed that he landed on his feet, and that he was concious when the fell.
A note said to have been found in Teoh's bag two months after his death was also tendered as evidence at the tail end of the inquest, following allegations that the Attorney-General's Chambers had withheld evidence.
Witnesses were, however, unable to conclude that the note, said to be a 'final testament' was indeed Teoh's as it could not be proven that the handwriting samples used as comparison indeed were his.
The inquest, which began on July 29, 2009, has been fraught with controversy, with expert witnesses giving contradicting evidence on the circumstances of Teoh's death.
Thai pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand testified that she was certain that it was not a case of suicide as the second autopsy conducted found neither defensive injuries on the deceased limbs nor a fracture on the skull typical of suicide by jumping.
She disagreed with British pathologist Dr Peter Vanezis, who testified that the fracture found on Teoh's left ankle showed that he landed on his feet, and that he was concious when the fell.
A note said to have been found in Teoh's bag two months after his death was also tendered as evidence at the tail end of the inquest, following allegations that the Attorney-General's Chambers had withheld evidence.
Witnesses were, however, unable to conclude that the note, said to be a 'final testament' was indeed Teoh's as it could not be proven that the handwriting samples used as comparison indeed were his.
LIVE REPORTS
2.50pm: Selangor exco members trickle in slowly, including Dr Xavier Jeyakumar, Elizabeth Wong and Teresa Kok. Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim is expected to arrive any time now. Also spotted is PKR Youth chief Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin.
3.10 pm: Azmil enters the courtroom to deliver his verdict. The Selangor MB arrives at the same time.
3.12pm: The coroner begins by thanking all parties representing the MACC, Selangor government, AG's Chambers, Teoh's family and Bar Council.
3.14pm: He states that 37 witnesses testified including 12 expert witnesses. He adds that his duty is to determine how Teoh died, where he died, when he died and "if any person is criminally concerned in the cause of death".
3.20pm: The coroner refers to the death of actress K Sujatha in saying that hearsay and secondary evidence is allowed, but must be scrutinised with caution, and that this must be proven beyond reasonable doubt. (An inquest found that Sujatha committed suicide.)
3.25pm: He notes that Teoh died about 11.15am on July 16.
3.30pm: "Teoh was alive upon impact on the fifth floor. The cause of death was multiple injuries sustained by fall."
3.35pm: Teoh's handwriting samples were never obtained so it cannot be proved that he wrote the 'final note'; the coroner also said the MACC relied heavily upon to prove suicide on grounds that Teoh had felt guilty. "I can only conclude that the note was authored by Teoh but cannot say it was a suicide note.
"There remains unsettled issues on the case of suicide and to find this on guesswork is unacceptable. I rule out verdict of suicide."
"There remains unsettled issues on the case of suicide and to find this on guesswork is unacceptable. I rule out verdict of suicide."
3.45pm: Azmil said there exists sufficient evidence to show that Teoh's neck injury was pre-fall but "no evidence to confirm that this injury facilitated or contributed to Teoh's demise".
"I rule out the verdict of homicide... I find an open verdict."
4.05pm: Teoh's sister Lee Lan is inconsolable. Her parents appear devastated but stoic.
The family will now consult with their lawyer to discuss the next course of action.
Tan Hock Chuan, who represented the Attorney-General's chambers, says the MACC and the family have the option to take the matter to the High Court to obtain a revision of the finding.
"According to case law, the coroner had no choice but to find an open verdict as he cannot make assumptions," Tan explained.
Tan Hock Chuan, who represented the Attorney-General's chambers, says the MACC and the family have the option to take the matter to the High Court to obtain a revision of the finding.
"According to case law, the coroner had no choice but to find an open verdict as he cannot make assumptions," Tan explained.
Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/152484
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