JP\/3\/BASUKI<\/p>\n
Basuki's killer gets 15 years<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Amiruddin, alias Nanda, a 23-year-old former
\nMetromini bus conductor on trial for murdering noted painter
\nBasuki Abdullah, was sentenced to 15 years in prison by a
\ndistrict court Saturday.<\/p>\n
Presiding Judge Moegihardjo of the South Jakarta district
\ncourt announced that Amiruddin was found guilty of robbing and
\nkilling the late painter in the early morning of Nov. 5, 1993.<\/p>\n
\"What implicated the defendant is that his victim is a maestro
\nof painting, whose reputation is recognized not only locally but
\nalso regionally and even internationally.<\/p>\n
\"Besides, the defendant is a recidivist, and he showed no
\nremorse,\" Moegihardjo said while reading the verdict.<\/p>\n
The sentence is five years less than that demanded by
\nprosecutor Sadjidi, who was substituted for over the weekend by
\nprosecutor Agus Sutoto.<\/p>\n
According to the indictment, Nanda plotted to rob the
\npainter's house with his three friends: Wahyudi, Abdul Mukti and
\nTetap Sembiring. The first two are now being tried separately in
\nthe same court. Sembiring, who disappeared shortly after the
\ncrime, remains at large.<\/p>\n
The four planned the robbery at Wahyudi's house on Jl. Langsat
\nI on the morning of Nov. 4. Wahyudi, who was then Basuki's
\ngardener, drew the lay-out of the painter's home and later gave
\nit to Nanda, who executed the plot at midnight.<\/p>\n
After striking Basuki down with a rifle belonging to the
\npainter and pilfering a collection of wristwatches and cash to
\nthe tune of Rp 200,000 (US$95), Nanda returned to Wahyudi's house
\non Jl. Langsat where his friends were waiting for him.<\/p>\n
On the morning on Nov. 5, Basuki was found dead by one of his
\nmaids, lying flat on the carpeted floor of his private room with
\nblood oozing from the back of his head.<\/p>\n
During earlier hearings, the defendants' lawyers from the
\nGenerasi Muda Indonesia legal aid foundation had pleaded that the
\ncourt acquit their clients of all charges because the
\nprosecutor's allegations were not supported by hard evidence.<\/p>\n
The defendants' lawyers said in their statements that all
\nevidence presented to the court by the prosecutor failed to prove
\nconclusively that Nanda was indeed the one who committed the
\nrobbery.<\/p>\n
The statement said none of the 12 witnesses called by the
\nprosecutor truly knew what had transpired on the morning of the
\nmurder.<\/p>\n
Thus, the defense lawyers claimed that the testimony of all 12
\nwitnesses should be declared null and void.<\/p>\n
But Presiding Judge Moegihardjo declared that this analysis
\nwas flawed, as it failed to consider the defendant's confession
\nbefore the court.<\/p>\n
\"When he gave his confession before the court, he was free
\nfrom any intimidation or agitation. For this reason, we can use
\nit as prime evidence, in addition to testimony offered by
\nwitnesses,\" Moegihardjo stated.<\/p>\n
Throughout yesterday's session, Nanda kept his head bent
\ndeferentially to the floor. When asked if he could accept the
\nverdict, he remained silent and then wept openly.<\/p>\n
After consulting with his lawyers, Nanda said he needed more
\ntime to consider whether he would appeal to the high court. (11)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jp3basuki-1447899208",
"image": ""
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