Lawyers demand acquittal of client<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The defense lawyers of a man charged with
\nmurdering the owner of a recording studio asked the North Jakarta
\nDistrict Court yesterday to acquit him of all charges.<\/p>\n
"Our client is accused of complicity with two other men in the
\nmurder of the late Beng Seng," said Tommy Sihotang, the leading
\ncounsel for the defense, "so, to prove the allegations beyond
\nreasonable doubt whether TP, alias Opiu, was involved in the
\nmurder, the prosecutor should have presented the two key
\nwitnesses to testify."<\/p>\n
Nyo Beng Seng was killed in his mansion in Pluit, North
\nJakarta. Also known as Darmansyah Sujadi, Beng Seng was the owner
\nof a leading recording company, PT. Irama Tara, and several
\nmassage parlors and night clubs in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The businessman was stabbed to death with a samurai sword. His
\ndeath drew much public attention because it was widely believed
\nto have been linked to fierce competition in the entertainment
\nindustry.<\/p>\n
Police believe the murder was masterminded by renowned gambler
\nHong Lie, who is still at large. He denied being involved in the
\nmurder at a press interview in Singapore last year.<\/p>\n
The two key witnesses, Agiono bin Syafran and Sudartono, alias
\nAtok, were sentenced to 20 years and 15 years imprisonment
\nrespectively in August last year.<\/p>\n
Prosecutor Muhammad Yusuf told the court in earlier sessions
\nthat he did not call the two witnesses to the trial because they
\nwere imprisoned in Nusa Kambangan, a prison island off the coast
\nof Central Java.<\/p>\n
Defense lawyer Tommy Sihotang said the prosecutor had recited
\nthe testimonies given by the two witnesses to the police instead
\nof hearing the witnesses' testimonies in court.<\/p>\n
"Article 185(1) of the Criminal Code Procedures dictate that
\nwitnesses' testimonies are those given in court, not those given
\nto the police," Tommy said.<\/p>\n
He then presented a letter from one of the witnesses in Nusa
\nKambangan claiming that Opiu had nothing to do with the murder.<\/p>\n
Prosecutor Yusuf had told the court that Opiu drove Agiono to
\nBeng Seng's mansion on April 7, 1994, and gave him Rp 5 million
\n(US$2,200). He said that Agiono used the money to purchase a
\nmotorcycle on which he escaped after the murder a week later.<\/p>\n
Yusuf accused Opiu, of violating Article 56 of the Criminal
\nCode which states that anyone who helps another party to commit a
\ncapital crime is liable to a maximum of 15 years imprisonment.<\/p>\n
When asked to rebut the defense lawyers' statement, Yusuf said
\nhe maintained his earlier sentencing demand.<\/p>\n
Judge Suwardi adjourned the trial for two weeks to prepare the
\nverdict. (26)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/lawyers-demand-acquittal-of-client-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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