Jagakarsa family murder suspect arrested

JAKARTA (JP): Police arrested a 22-year-old student on Thursday for his alleged role in the killing of a couple and their two-year-old son in Jagakarsa, South Jakarta, on Wednesday.

Police confiscated a knife believed to have been used in the killings, a shirt stained with blood of the victims and Rp 2.3 million in cash, head of South Jakarta Police Precinct Lt. Col. Yudi Susharianto said.

"We're currently looking for a blade also used in the murders, which the suspect admitted had been thrown into a nearby river," he said.

The suspect was identified as Jamaluddin Latief bin H. Moch. Yacub, a drop-out of Al Hikmah Islamic School in Jeruk Purut, Cilandak, South Jakarta.

Jamaluddin was arrested at his parents' house, which is only 30 meters from the victims' residence.

"The police found his fingerprints all over the crime scene. And from the traces of bloody foot prints on the floor, we ran a scientific investigation which led us to the suspect," Yudi said.

Speaking at a media conference, Yudi said the motive for killing Sukarman, 39, his wife Siti Chotijah, 35, and their son Azis Nugroho, 2, was a grudge.

"The motive is purely a deep grudge. The suspect said he hated the way members of the family treated him, as if he were their maid," Yudi explained.

According to Yudi, the murder was premeditated because one of the suspect's friends told the police that Jamaluddin used to ask for help in executing the plan to murder the family.

The couple's two other sons, Aditya Riyanto, 12, and Aji Yudanto, 10, survived the massacre, which took place at 3 a.m. Wednesday.

When questioned by police why he did not kill the two boys, Jamaluddin reportedly answered: "They are good boys, Sir. So I pity them."

According to Jamaluddin, he was forced to kill Aditya because he was crying and he feared that the toddler would recognize him. "I used to have Azis on my lap everyday," he said in a statement to the police.

The police started tracking the foot prints at 5 p.m. Wednesday. Police dogs led detectives to the suspect's house, where he was arrested at 1 a.m.

Yudi said that Jamaluddin felt the family disrespected him because when he tried to borrow the victims' car once, Sukarman refused.

The suspect admitted to entering Sukarman's house through the garage roof Tuesday at 7 p.m. and waited for all members of the family to fall asleep.

At 10 p.m., according to Jamaluddin, he saw his father, Moch. Yacub, delivering kurban (sacrificial) meat to Siti Chotijah.

At about 3 a.m., Jamaluddin said he came down and entered the living room. He took money from the pocket of a pair of pant's hanging in Sukarman's bedroom, and then began the killings.

"He killed Sukarman by stabbing him in the throat, neck and stomach," Yudi said. Siti Chotijah, who woke up because of the noise, was stabbed in the chest, neck and face.

"The suspect seemed to be very calm when he told the police about his actions. Up until now, he doesn't show any remorse whatsoever about the killing," said Maj. Rico A., chief detective of South Jakarta Police Precinct.

When journalists asked Jamaluddin about his feelings, he said: "I've said it all to the police."

The suspect's father, Moch. Yacub, was deeply shocked by the incident. "I never imagine this ... he is a good boy ... good boy," he said with tears running down his face.

Jamaluddin is known to be active in his neighborhood, where he teaches children how to read the Koran.

"I never thought he would do such a thing. He's very diligent and quiet in school," said Abdullah, his classmate. He said Jamaluddin had not reregistered since the fifth semester to continue his studies.

"He just disappeared."

Jamaluddin will be charged under Article 340 and Article 365 of the Criminal Codes for premeditated murder, which carries a maximum sentence of death or life imprisonment. (edt)