Man shows anger at verdict

Man shows anger at verdict

MEDAN, North Sumatra: A prosecutor has reported to the city
police that a man, discontent with the sentence of 16-year jail
term for murdering a dentist, hurled a chair at him, Antara
reported yesterday.

In his report, prosecutor Edward Sianturi said that the
humiliating, contemptuous act not only tarnished his name, but
also belittled lawyers in general.

Hermansyah, 20, was proven guilty of murdering dentist James
Ismunandar Halim, 52, in October 1995. Hermansyah also stole Rp
400,000 (US$172) and 4 grams of gold accessories from the
dentist. The prosecutor had demanded that the court sentenced
Hermansyah to 18 years in jail.

When the Medan District Court's team of judges, presided over
by Judge Djulijar, delivered the verdict on June 5, Hermansyah
picked up the metal chair on which he was sitting and threw it at
the prosecutor.

Edward ducked and was able to avoid the flying chair which
instead hit a window.

"If he was not satisfied with the ruling, he could have
appealed rather than blame the prosecutor for the sentence. After
all, it is the judge who made the decision," Edward said. (14)