Minibus driver trial will proceed<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Judge Soemarjono of the North Jakarta District
\nCourt decided yesterday to dismiss the defense's request to wave
\ncharges against Ramses Silitonga, a Metromini bus driver who was
\nbehind the wheel when his bus plunged into the Sunter river in
\nNorth Jakarta last year killing 33 passengers.<\/p>\n
During the previous trial Ramses's lawyer, Victor Siahaan,
\nrequested that the judge annul the indictment of H.P.W. Soekewi,
\nthe prosecutor who has charged Ramses with murder, on the grounds
\nthat the charge was tendentious and exaggerated.<\/p>\n
Siahaan said that it was the first time in the history of
\nIndonesian law that someone involved in a traffic accident had
\nbeen charged with murder. \"It is unprecedented, and therefore we
\nstrongly reject the charges,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The prosecutor, however, said that an indictment could only be
\ndismissed if it misidentified the defendant or if it was
\nproffered in a court lacking jurisdiction to hear the trial.<\/p>\n
Judge Soemarjono was quoted by Antara yesterday as saying that
\nthe board of judges agreed with the prosecutor's argument that
\nthe defense request is groundless.<\/p>\n
The judge then decided to proceed according to Soekewi's
\nindictment and to continue with the examination of witnesses.<\/p>\n
It is alleged that on March 6 last year, Ramses drove a
\nMetromini (smaller-sized) bus along Jl. Yos Sudarso in North
\nJakarta at a speed of between 80 and 90 kilometers per hour.
\nAccording to the prosecution case, he continued speeding despite
\npleas from the conductor, Pontas Pakpahan, and a number of
\npassengers that reminded him that there were children aboard.<\/p>\n
The prosecution claims that Ramses then lost control of the
\nbus which, shortly afterwards, plunged into the Sunter River.<\/p>\n
Twenty people died at the accident scene immediately, another
\n13 later in the hospital and 13 were injured.<\/p>\n
Ramses, 33, evaded the police and went into hiding in North
\nSumatra, his home province. Police finally managed to arrest the
\nculprit in August, despite an attempt made by Ramses to change
\nhis identity.<\/p>\n
Police said Ramses had been living in the village of Tanjung
\nMulia in the Kampung Rakyat district, Labuhan Batu regency. He
\nhad been working for PT Pemudjur, a timber mill, under the name
\nof Ucok Sitompul.<\/p>\n
Judge Soemarjono adjourned the trial until Jan. 26. (mas)<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/minibus-driver-trial-will-proceed-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }