A three-member bench led by Justice Azman Abdullah allowed the appeal by K Rovin Joty, 41, and set aside the High Court’s murder conviction under Section 302 of the Penal Code.

He was instead convicted under Section 304(a) and sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment, effective from the date of his arrest on Feb 19, 2018.

The panel also comprised Justices Hayatul Akmal Abdul Aziz and Meor Hashimi Abdul Hamid.

On Sept 23, 2022, the High Court found Rovin guilty of murdering Gurwinder Singh Gill Amar Singh, 27, and sentenced him to death, prompting his appeal.

The offence was committed at Lorong Limau Manis 1, Bangsar Park, Kuala Lumpur, at about 2.30am on May 25, 2008.

Court documents showed the appellant attacked the victim with a machete after exiting his vehicle.

The victim suffered severe injuries, including a severed hand, before being rushed to Universiti Malaya Medical Centre, where he was pronounced dead.

The cause of death was multiple slash wounds.

Deputy public prosecutor Zaki Asyraf Zubir appeared for the prosecution, while lawyers Amer Hamzah Arshad, Joshua Tay and Lee Yee Woei represented the appellant.