The Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Wednesday heard the case of a former police officer accused of shooting a female motorist in the foot after she collided with the officer’s wife.
Luy Vuthy, 35, a former penal police officer in Chamkar Mon district, was charged with intentional violence with aggravating circumstances and illegal use of a weapon after he was arrested in February last year.
His wife, Eng Lyheang, 31, has been charged as an accomplice.
“This case happened after the wife got into a road accident in Chamkar Mon district and called her husband to come negotiate the problem,” said deputy prosecutor Soeur Vany. “But he shot twice at the victim and hit him in the foot.”
In court Wednesday, Mr. Vuthy maintained his innocence, insisting that he had not intended to shoot the victim, Ham Chantrea, when he discharged his gun.
“I shot three times, but I did not know the bullet would hit the victim on the foot,” he said. He also asked the court to drop charges against his wife, who he said was not there at the time of the shooting.
“I ask the court to find justice for me,” he said. Judge Suos Sam Ath said a verdict in the case would be handed down on March 5.
