A 24-YEAR-OLD maid was on Thursday committed to stand trial in the High Court for allegedly fatally smothering a 70-year-old woman in her care.

Indonesian Tri Lestari initially faced the gallows for murder, but the charge was reduced to that of manslaughter on Thursday.

It is understood that this was based on a psychiatric report on her.

She is accused of pressing a pillow over the face of Madam Choy Ah Moy at her Jalan Membina flat last Aug 19 some time between 1.15am and 9.05am.

She was stony-faced at the preliminary inquiry on Thursday. A magistrate's court determined there were sufficient grounds to commit her for trial.

Tri was hired to take care of Madam Choy, but just 10 days into her job, the elderly woman was found dead in her bed by her son.

The following night, the police arrested the maid.

Indonesian Embassy officials were present at the hearing.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Jean Kua said the prosecution would call 45 witnesses to prove its case against the maid.

Lawyer Mohamed Muzammil Mohamed is defending the maid.

No trial dates have been scheduled. A pre-trial conference has been fixed for April 29.