Death sentence for murderers

BOGOR: The Cibinong District Court sentenced two men to death on Wednesday for murdering a man and then mutilating his body to conceal their crime on June 20 last year.

"The murder was premeditated as the defendants planned to steal the victim's motorcycle," presiding judge Marsudin Nainggolan told the court.

The defendant, Benged Siahaan, who is transvestite sex worker who goes by the name of Lilis, and his accomplice Hero Lamia, accepted the verdict in different ways.

"You lied too much, Nged. Why have I been sentenced to death ...," Hero cried, while struggling to get loose from the handcuffs, while Benged remained calm after the verdict was read out by the judge.

Prosecutor Isrofi had earlier demanded that the court sentence Benged to death and impose a life sentence on Hero.

The prosecutor also proposed four years in jail for the two other defendants, Benged's wife Nursumiyati Prawirosumito and friend Surip alias Jumari Rasdan, for aiding and abetting the murderers.

The court sentenced both of them to three-and-a-half-year terms. The sentences were less than the prosecution had sought with the court saying they were unaware of the murderers' intentions.

Zaenabun, the wife of victim Abdul Kadir, said following the verdict and sentencing, "I am delighted with the judges' decision."-- JP