Death sought for murderer

SURABAYA, East Java: The relatives of three women who were hacked to death demanded that the suspected killer, Mrs. Ast., receive the death sentence.

Antara reported on Tuesday that the trial's opening day at the Surabaya District Court attracted many people, especially the relatives of the victims: Sri Rahayu, Sri Astutik Wijaya and Puji Astutik.

The panel of judges was presided over by Maskin, while the prosecutors were Faried Harianto and Darwati.

Mrs. Ast. allegedly killed the three women between August 1993 and September 1995 over three separate incidents after they humiliated her for not paying money owed to them. She hit the victims on the head with a hammer, cut their bodies into small pieces and disposed of them in several plastic bags.

The defendant is being charged with premeditated murder, which is punishable by death.(swe)