KOTA KINABALU: Former Sabah rugby player Arden Mattson Maturin was charged with murder today for allegedly killing his younger sister, Audrey Maturin, on May 4.
The charge carries the death penalty upon conviction under Section 302 of the Penal Code.
Arden, 26, was accused of murdering Audrey, 24, at their house in Taman Prestij off Jalan Signal Hill.
No plea was taken from Arden after the charge was read out to him before magistrate Jessica Ombou Kakayun.
He pleaded not guilty and expressed his desire to have a trial during the hearing at the magistrate's court.
Jessica told the accused that the case was only up for mention and that his plea would be taken only at the High Court.
The prosecution applied for a mention date pending the post-mortem report and other related documents, and for the accused to remain in custody.
The hearing was adjourned until June 14. Arden was ordered to be remanded further as the charge does not provide bail.
Inspector Albert Basiri prosecuted the case and Arden was not represented.
The case gained public attention after their father found the victim lying face down, with her face bloodied.
She was sent to Queen Elizabeth Hospital II for treatment but died two days later.
According to statements by family members, they believed Arden was involved in a fight with his sister before the incident.
Police seized two rings worn by the suspect. No weapon was found at the crime scene.
The suspect tested negative for drugs.