Ita murder trial opens in Central Jakarta

JAKARTA (JP): Opening statements were heard on Thursday at the Central Jakarta District Court in the trial of a 23-year-old man accused of killing a high school teenager in a highly publicized case last year.

Prosecutor Amri Satta told the court that Suryadi, alias Otong or Bram, murdered his neighbor Marthadinata, or Ita, 18, on Oct. 9 at her family's house on Jl. Berlian in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta.

"The defendant killed Ita after she spotted him stealing at her house," Amri said.

He said Otong decided to burgle Ita's home after he discovered that his father, Sunarji, owed Rp 1.5 million (US$170) which he borrowed for a trip to Bali.

The prosecutor revealed that Sunarji told his wife, Dati, to pay off the debt shortly after he returned from Bali.

He warned her they would have to sell their home if she could not obtain the money.

Otong, a technical high school graduate, picked his next-door neighbor's home for the burglary because it was often empty, Amri said.

Carrying a machete and screwdriver, Otong entered the house at 1 p.m. by scaling the fence, he said.

He went into the bedroom of Ita's sister, Upi, on the first floor of the two-story house, but did not find any valuables.

He proceeded to the bedroom of Ita's father, Leo Haryono, and forced open a wardrobe, drawer and bag in search of items.

As in the first room, the defendant found no money or jewelry, the prosecutor said.

Otong left the room but was stunned when he heard a shout of "thief, robber" from the second floor, he said.

Realizing it was Ita screaming, Otong rushed to the upper floor and chased the young woman, who locked herself in her bedroom, Amri said.

The defendant tore off the net over the ventilation partition above the door and entered the room.

He grabbed Ita, who resisted by biting the defendant's right hand.

An incensed Otong repeatedly slashed Ita in her chest and mouth with his machete, Amri told the court, which included only a few visitors in the public gallery.

The defendant tied Ita's hands with a bra and bound her legs with a sweater before going downstairs to take a butcher's knife and a small knife from the kitchen.

Otong used the butcher's knife to slash Ita's throat, Amri said.

After checking Ita was dead, the defendant then left the house by the same way he entered.

He was arrested the following day.

He is charged under Article 339 of the Criminal Code, carrying a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Accompanied by a four-member legal team including attorney Ruhut Sitompul, Otong was silent when the prosecutor read the 10- page indictment.

His parents also remained quiet throughout the proceedings.

Ruhut said the murder was not premeditated.

"Otong did not plan the killing," he said.

Both Otong and his lawyer expressed no objections to the indictment. Ruhut described it as clear and accurate.

Judge Paiman Martoredjo adjourned the trial until next week to hear witnesses' testimonies.

The murder drew controversy because several non-governmental organizations claimed Ita was a volunteer counselor working with victims of sexual abuse from last May's riots.

Speculation centered on whether Ita was one of the rape victims and that she was set to travel to the United States to talk about her trauma.

All of the speculation has proven groundless.

Ita's parents are also suing noted forensic expert Mun'im Idries for disclosing their daughter's autopsy results to the media, which included remarks on her past sexual history. Mun'im has denied that his comments were unprofessional and inappropriate. (jun)