Judge shows compassion

Judge shows compassion

JAKARTA (JP): A West Jakarta teenager convicted of assault had
his jail term reduced from nine to seven months after he pleaded
with the judge to let him out in time to see his wife give birth.

Judge Eko Wardojo of the West Jakarta District Court altered
the sentence that he had given to Edi Susanto, 17, only minutes
after pronouncing him guilty on Thursday.

Edi did not contest the verdict, given for having hit his
friend over the head with a glass, but pleaded to get out two
months earlier so he could witness the delivery of his first
child.

The judge's decision brought a smile to the face of Murni, the
defendant's 17-year-old wife who attended the trial. Murni is two
months pregnant.

Edi earlier told the court that he assaulted his friend Doni
Asmara in July because he didn't show enough gratitude for the
cigarettes he gave him. The incident occurred at Pos Duri market,
in Tambora, West Jakarta. (26)