Angry police officer shoots judge over verdict

JAKARTA (JP): A North Sulawesi Police officer is facing investigation after shooting a judge at the Tondano District Court.

National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Saleh Saaf identified the officer as Tomohon police subprecinct chief, Adj. Comr. J. Lantu, a university graduate, who shot the toe of Judge John Tellew for issuing a verdict which went against his expectations. John survived, although sustaining an injury.

"Lantu's gun has been confiscated," Saleh told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

According to North Sulawesi police chief Brig. Gen. Erald Todulong, Saleh said, a pretrial suit had been filed against Lantu at the district court, by Ditje Kaunang, a woman Lantu arrested over a passport fraud case.

"Judge John Tellew issued the verdict that Lantu made a wrongful arrest of the woman. Lantu got really mad," Saleh said.

"Lantu first shot into the air in the courtroom, and chased the judge outside the courtroom. Lantu got out of the courtroom and shot into the air again, before shooting Tellew's toe."

Saleh said that the Erald had already ordered the Minahasa Police precinct to bring Tomohon to the North Sulawesi Police for further interrogation on Tuesday. (ylt)