Prosecutors reject Jagorawi defense

BOGOR (JP): Prosecutors in the Jagorawi toll road robbery and murder trial rejected the defense's claim yesterday that the prosecution was vague.

The prosecution team, which included Andi Rachman Asbar, was responding to lawyers of defendant Erling Doly Wijaya alias Mikel and Hendrik.

A lawyer, Mansjur, demanded that the indictment be annulled.

The defendants, tried in two separate rooms at Bogor District Court by the same prosecution teams, stand charged of robbery involving violence and death. If found guilty, they could face the death penalty.

The alleged crime took place on Oct. 11 last year and led to the death of Zainuddin Lesmana. Rp 312 million was stolen from his car.

The lawyers said the prosecution was not clear on whether there was physical contact between the defendants and the victim.

"The role of the defendant in the prosecution is very clear," prosecutor Andi said. They were allegedly involved with two other men called Iskandar and Budiarto, who are still fugitives.

Hendrik reportedly smashed the windshield of the victim's sedan on the toll road while Mikel watched from behind a Mercedes Benz, the indictment said.

Crowds packed the courtroom and others had to be content with peeping through a window. Visca, a daughter of Zainuddin, was among the spectators. (24/anr)