A woman accused of insulting and disrupting court proceedings during the trial of anti-masker Benjamin Glynn has been handed with new charges for spitting at police officers.
On Monday, November 14, the court approved the prosecutor's request to remand 52-year-old Lee Hui Yin to the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) for psychiatric observation..
This happened when Lee appeared via video link in court from where she was remanded and stated that her right hand was purportedly injured. During her court appearance, she closed her eyes and leaned against the wall multiple times.
Lee was charged with two fresh counts of using criminal force to prevent a public official from doing his duties on Monday. On November 10 of this year, she is accused of spitting in the faces of two police officers in a police vehicle.
She was charged this week with disruptive conduct and using disrespectful language against a judge at the August 2021 trial of Glynn in State Court.
In August 2021, she allegedly stated in district court, "This is a ridiculous kangaroo court" and "I do not respect the judge."
Monday, after the additional charges were presented, Deputy Public Prosecutor Chong Kee En requested Lee's position on the new charges.
Lee did not react. When questioned if she could hear them, her thumb was slowly raised to indicate yes.
District judge Lorraine Ho then asked whether or not Lee was able to post bail. At her previous court appearance, she was offered $10,000 bail.
Lee said: "I do not understand, I do not consent. This began as a straightforward (issue) that could have been resolved with a fine, but you have made problems worse. And what happened was that there was no arrest warrant. I did not see any arrest warrant.
"I did observe a warrant compelling me to appear in court, for which I have previously submitted a cure and remedy to the States." The police unlawfully entered my residence. I was shocked. I was terrified. I have had panic attacks in the past."
The judge interjected and asked Lee whether she might obtain bail from a relative or friend.
Lee responded yes, but stated that the investigating officer seized her phone. She stated that she needed to look over her phone's contacts.
The judge asked her who she planned to ask to be her bailor, but Lee instead proceeded to describe how her right hand was allegedly injured and maybe paralyzed.
She ultimately stated that she planned to contact her aunt, as well as her "ambassador" and "law advocate."
The prosecutor intervened to say that if she was talking to Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman, he could not be her bailor because he was facing court proceedings himself.
Abdul Rashid first appeared in court claiming to be Glynn's attorney, however it was later revealed that he lacked a valid license to practice law. He asserted that he was a "ambassador at large and advocate for Kingdom Filipina Hacienda."
Lee stated that she just wanted to contact Abdul Rashid so that he could send a message to her boyfriend since "now, people don't pick up the phone; they send texts instead."
The prosecutor responded to the judge's inquiry regarding the state of the case by stating that investigations are still ongoing but should be concluded "pretty soon."
Lee stated, "There is no reason to investigate further." "I am not a criminal."
Mr. Chong inquired if it would be wise to remand Lee to IMH based on her fitness to stand trial.
He stated that at the time of Lee's indictment, a previous IMH assessment indicated that she was stable in respect to her past alleged crimes from the previous year.
However, he stated that he now had "some concerns" regarding the new set of charges and Lee's ability to plead.
In response, Lee stated, "Your honor, I am completely sane. I am not insane. I am just experiencing panic attacks. The previous court granted me bail. I need to go outside to assess my injuries, as they are all over my body. I am currently unable to move my right hand. I have nerve damage; it may have been paralyzed; I am unsure."
She leaned against the wall and closed her eyes before reporting that the investigating officer had struck her on the head and repeatedly said, "I will charge you."
"Is that accurate? She stated, "He is a public worker who is meant to serve the public, yet he continues to investigate."
The judge ordered Lee to be confined to IMH for two weeks of mental monitoring after hearing a recommendation from the investigating officer.
When Lee heard of the order, she stated that she would not comply.
She stated, "The first judge ruled that I am sane." She lifted her arms to display the bruises on them and stated that she need photographs of them.
The court stated that she will relay Lee's complaint to the prison physicians, but Lee continued, "They are not photographing my injuries." If I were to enter IMH and something were to happen to me there, or if I were to commit myself, you will answer to my queen Legaspi of the Sovereign Kingdom.
Lee is due back in court on November 28.
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