Car thief gets death sentence

PURWOKERTO, Central Java: A man who specialized in car thefts was sentenced to death by Purwokerto District Court on Monday for murdering a lawyer two months ago.

Presiding judge Sarnubi said the capital sentence was handed down to the defendant, 25-year-old Rio Alex Bulo, because he showed no remorse and was impolite during the trial.

Rio's lawyer Pranoto and Sukarjo said they would consider an appeal to a higher court.

Originally from Jakarta, Rio killed lawyer Suraji, 35, in a hotel situated in Baturraden tourist resort after the latter challenged Rio's demand for his car.

Banyumas Police Chief Comr. Imam Basuki told reporters separately that Rio confessed to stealing at least 19 cars from Jakarta, Surabaya, and Bandung and admitted to having killed four people during these car thefts. (45)