Ita murder trial opens in Central Jakarta
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)