Natalie Siow Yu Zhen cries in court as Orchard Tower murders charges downgraded to assault

Orchard Tower murder case accused Natalie Siow Yu Zhen just received reduced charges for her involvement in the death of of 31-year-old man last July 2. According to a report from The Straits Times, her initial murder charge was reduced to assault on Friday, October 18.

Upon hearing that her charges were reduced, Natalie burst into tears.

Instead of a possible death sentence, the most Natalie can look forward to in terms of punishment is a jail term of two years and a $5000 fine.

According to the same report, Natalie is now accused of punching and kicking the victim to the ground.

Who is Natalie Siow Yu Zhen?

A previous report from Alvinology said that Natalie Siow Yu Zhen is a 23-year-old woman who figured in the assault and death of Noel Satheesh Gobidass in Tan Tock Seng Hospital on the morning of July 2.

Security video footage went viral in July when a group of people were arrested for the death of Gobidass, who was ganged-on on the first floor of Orchard Towers. Shared widely online, the video featured a woman wearing a grey top and denim cutoffs rearing back to join the group assaulting the victim.

Did Natalie look for a sugar daddy? Read about it here.

Gobidass, who was the victim in the video, was able to run up the escalator to the second floor of the mall, where he collapsed and was attended to by first responders. He died later in Tan Tock Seng hospital from his injuries.

Days later, seven people were arrested in connection to the crime, and their names were published in various news reports. Natalie Siow Yu Zhen was the only woman arrested who was charged with murder.

Called Nutella by her unofficial fan club, Natalie sported a shorter haircut and sunglasses at the court hearing, which comes after her psychological evaluation and several hearings with the judge in the case.

Aside from Natalie, three other men in the case had their charges reduced as well. Instead of murder, they have been charged with consorting with a wanted man.

The wanted man, in this case, in Tan Sen Yang, 27 years old, who had a karambit knife during the crime.

What is a karambit knife and how was it used in the Orchard Towers murder case?

The rest of the men who still face murder charges are Tan Sen Yang, Joel Tan Yun Sheng, 26, and Ang Da Yuan, 26. They face the death penalty, if convicted.

What did Natalie do when her charges were reduced?

Natalie is represented by Mr Amarick Gill of Amarick Gill LLC and Ms Cheryl Ng of Intelleigen Legal.

According to the report, Natalie’s lawyer said that she was elated with the result of the current hearing. She was also offered $15,000 bail, and will return to a hearing on October 25.

“She is looking forward to going home to her family and will cooperate with the authorities as advised by me. I am grateful that the prosecution acceded to my representation.

“I feel this is the appropriate charge for Natalie.” her lawyer added.

Read about Natalie Siow Yu Zhen’s dayre account, where she talks about her everyday life.