From Sarah's Blog
Allan
18 years and 8 months old
Occupation: Male prostitute
Tried for murder and on death row
Currently, showing on TV is the new Singapore drama series Full Circle. This week's episode features a young boy, 18 years and 8 months old, who is tried for murder. The story begins with Mrs. Chua, Allan's natural mother meeting his defense attorney in a private meeting room at the Singapore High Court.
"Mrs. Chua, when was the last time you saw your son?"
Flashback: A photograph was taken of Allan by his adoptive father on the day he was given away by his natural mother. Mrs. Chua sobs in pain as she could only look from a distance as the pair of adoptive parents carries her youngest son away. She returns home to her two other sons who were still asleep and to her drunkard husband who earned only S$60 a week from his fishing occupation. He spends his weekly earnings in 2 days on gambling, alcohol and cigarettes. Mr. Chua constantly shouts at his wife and blames her for giving away their son. She soon divorced him and vowed to earn enough to claim her son back. She took any and every job she could find, washing and cleaning dishes for hawker centers and restaurants. Still, she wanted to earn enough before she would take Allan back again.
Time was not on her side.
The pair of Adoptive parents soon had a son of their own, unexpectedly. Allan's fate soon took a dark turn -- he was constantly beaten, scolded, blamed for everything that he did not do. His adoptive parents favored their natural son and would never touch a single strand of his hair. Allan, on the other end was caned daily, had a stapler once thrown to his face and suffered all sorts of ill-treatment. He ran away at the age of 15. Ever since he moved out, he worked to support himself as a mechanic and a waiter at roadside food stalls. He lost his job not long after due to bad business. Allan responded on a newspaper advertisement in search of "Male Models". He met with the "business" owner and was told that if he performed services other than giving massages to male clients he would easily earn thousands more. He was under the impression that all he had to do was give messages. He had no idea what he was getting into.
But when he realized what "modeling" was all about, it was too late. He tried to leave but the employer would not allow him too. He was tied up and electrocuted during the argument. Allan murdered his employer.
Court in session: Evidence of rage under provocation and bad childhood was presented to the court and judge. Mrs. Chua looks at her son in a distance from her seat as he sat in the defendant's booth. The verdict was given.
The judge found no reason to accept the evidence of rage under provocation and bad childhood for Allan's alleged action. He was sentenced to a prison facility to await his execution by hanging.
Allan was 18 years and 8 months old. "If only he was born 8 months and 1 day earlier, he would not face the death penalty."
"When was the last time you saw your son, Mrs. Chua?"
Visitation room:
"Ma, have you eaten?"
"Not yet."
"Ma, don't skip meals ok?"
"Don't worry about me."
Mrs. Chua gently pushes Allan's baby photograph across the table to him.
"Allan, there's something I want to pass to you."
Allan takes a look at the photograph.
"He's cute. Who is he?"
"It's you." Mrs. Chua sobs.
"I hear that I have two older brothers. Where are they?"
"The elder one died in a car accident a few years ago. The other one owns a hawker stall in Malaysia?"
"So you're all alone?"
Mrs. Chua nods.
Allan gently pushes the photograph back to his mom.
"Keep this for me ma."
"Visiting hours is over."
Allan is escorted to leave the room. Mrs. Chua sobs heavily. Allan looks back from the door.
"Ma, it's not your fault. I won't blame you."
Mrs. Chua is left alone in the room. She sobs.
That was the last time I saw Allan. Soon after that, he was hanged...
He will forever remain in my heart, like the photograph next to me...
This story brought me to tears because I saw how innocent and hurt Allan was -- not by his employer but by the actions of those he trusted, those he called his "parents". Favoritism is something even the Bible is against.
Betrayal is something that inflicts a wound so deep, only a Master Healer can heal.
Allan, may God rest his soul.
~Sarah
| e.s.t.h.e.r in the arms of Jesus @
8/18/2005 01:22:00 am |
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