KEPONG, Sept. 25 -- More than 11 months after her daughter was fatally stabbed at school, Wong Lee Ping is still asking a question she cannot put behind her: could the tragedy have been prevented?

The mother of 16-year-old Yap Shing Xuen said the family is planning to pursue a civil suit as the criminal case moves to the appeal stage following the Shah Alam High Court's decision to acquit the teenage accused on the grounds of unsoundness of mind.

"Our lawyers will be filing a civil suit. Until the criminal proceedings are completed, we will not comment on the details. Our lawyers will explain those matters later," Wong told a press conference today.

Asked whether the civil action would be filed after the appeal or concurrently, Wong sa...