Jobless youth kills dentist

JAKARTA (JP): A 20-year-old unemployed man murdered a dentist in October after he could not afford to pay his Rp 10,000 (US$4.2) bill, the district court in Medan, North Sumatra, was told Saturday.

"The dentist died after the defendant cut his throat with a knife," prosecutor Edwar Sianturi said over the weekend.

On seeing the dying dentist, the accused stole Rp 400,000 cash and four grams of jewelry from the victim's drawer, the prosecutor said.

Sianturi described the defendant's act as "inhuman" and alleged that his prime motive was to rob the doctor, not to obtain medical treatment.

Instead of paying the bill, the accused demanded money from the dentist and got mad when the dentist rejected it.

According to the prosecutor, the accused was assisted by an accomplice aged 19, who was tried separately, Antara reported.

The trial was adjourned until Thursday this week. (rms)