Alleged housemaid killer on trial

TANGERANG: The trial of a housewife charged with killing her housemaid with the help of her son in January, began at Tangerang District Court on Tuesday.

At the trial, prosecutor A. A. Hutagaol charged the defendant, Yani Vera Simorangkir, with violating articles 351 and 354 of the Criminal Code on homicide.

In the prosecution's indictment, Hutagaol alleged the defendant began to beat up her maid, Mulyati, at Simorangkir's house in the Bumi Serpong Damai housing estate on Jan. 7 after she suspected the victim of stealing a cake belonging to her son, Fernando Oslan Siahaan.

Mulyati denied the accusation and it angered Simorangkir, who along with her son repeatedly beat and kicked the victim in the stomach and punched her in the face, Hutagaol said.

The maid died later that night and was buried on Jan. 8 morning in the backyard. Later, Simorangkir ordered her driver Fachrulrozi to dig up the grave and throw away the body.

The driver went to the police and reported the case.

Siahaan was sentenced last month by the same court to 10- months' jail.

Presiding judge Suprapto adjourned the trial until next week. -- JP