Lawyers demand acquittal of client
Lawyers demand acquittal of client
JAKARTA (JP): The defense lawyers of a man charged with
murdering the owner of a recording studio asked the North Jakarta
District Court yesterday to acquit him of all charges.
"Our client is accused of complicity with two other men in the
murder of the late Beng Seng," said Tommy Sihotang, the leading
counsel for the defense, "so, to prove the allegations beyond
reasonable doubt whether TP, alias Opiu, was involved in the
murder, the prosecutor should have presented the two key
witnesses to testify."
Nyo Beng Seng was killed in his mansion in Pluit, North
Jakarta. Also known as Darmansyah Sujadi, Beng Seng was the owner
of a leading recording company, PT. Irama Tara, and several
massage parlors and night clubs in Jakarta.
The businessman was stabbed to death with a samurai sword. His
death drew much public attention because it was widely believed
to have been linked to fierce competition in the entertainment
industry.
Police believe the murder was masterminded by renowned gambler
Hong Lie, who is still at large. He denied being involved in the
murder at a press interview in Singapore last year.
The two key witnesses, Agiono bin Syafran and Sudartono, alias
Atok, were sentenced to 20 years and 15 years imprisonment
respectively in August last year.
Prosecutor Muhammad Yusuf told the court in earlier sessions
that he did not call the two witnesses to the trial because they
were imprisoned in Nusa Kambangan, a prison island off the coast
of Central Java.
Defense lawyer Tommy Sihotang said the prosecutor had recited
the testimonies given by the two witnesses to the police instead
of hearing the witnesses' testimonies in court.
"Article 185(1) of the Criminal Code Procedures dictate that
witnesses' testimonies are those given in court, not those given
to the police," Tommy said.
He then presented a letter from one of the witnesses in Nusa
Kambangan claiming that Opiu had nothing to do with the murder.
Prosecutor Yusuf had told the court that Opiu drove Agiono to
Beng Seng's mansion on April 7, 1994, and gave him Rp 5 million
(US$2,200). He said that Agiono used the money to purchase a
motorcycle on which he escaped after the murder a week later.
Yusuf accused Opiu, of violating Article 56 of the Criminal
Code which states that anyone who helps another party to commit a
capital crime is liable to a maximum of 15 years imprisonment.
When asked to rebut the defense lawyers' statement, Yusuf said
he maintained his earlier sentencing demand.
Judge Suwardi adjourned the trial for two weeks to prepare the
verdict. (26)