Death demanded for murder trial couple<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Prosecutors yesterday demanded a court sentence
\na couple to death for an alleged murder last year.<\/p>\n
Philipus Kia Lejab and his wife, Suparmi, after being tried in
\nseparate hearings for three months were accused of murdering a
\nwoman and her three children at the victim's home in the Bambu
\nApus sub-district of East Jakarta on Oct. 2.<\/p>\n
The cold-blooded murder, which shocked Jakarta residents, was
\nfollowed by a commotion a few days later when thousands of people
\nransacked Philipus' house in a show of anger.<\/p>\n
Besides the couple, three other children have also been tried
\nfor allegedly being implicated in the murder.<\/p>\n
The three trial prosecutors said that their evidence and
\nwitnesses' testimonies demonstrated that Philipus is guilty of
\nplanning and enticing his wife Suparmi and three other children
\nto take part in the conspiracy.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors Saleh Abdurrahman, Agung Dipo and Azizul Hakim
\ntook turns in reading a-200-page criminal charges summary for
\nsix-and-a-half hours.<\/p>\n
Retractions<\/p>\n
In previous hearings, Philipus had retracted his statements
\nfiled in police reports, saying that he was under physical and
\nmental duress prior to police questioning.<\/p>\n
\"The suspect's retractions are groundless because some
\ntestimonies have shown the court that Philipus has not been
\ntelling the whole truth,\" the indictment read, referring to
\nseveral conflicting statements.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors also cited several Supreme Court rulings showing
\nthat unrecorded statements made by defendants are evidence to
\nprove whether or not they are guilty.<\/p>\n
Philipus and Suparmi, who were tried in separate court rooms,
\ntrained their eyes on the ground most of the time during the
\nsessions. The faces of the two suspects looked stoic when the
\ndesired punishments were announced.<\/p>\n
Philipus's lawyers are to present their plea next Monday while
\nthose of Suparmi are scheduled to speak next Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Security troops closely guarded the court building yesterday.<\/p>\n
Visitors to both Philipus' and Suparmi's packed court hearings
\ncheered and clapped when the punishments were demanded by the
\nprosecutors. (14)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/death-demanded-for-murder-trial-couple-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}