Shortage of cash no excuse for murder: Judge

JAKARTA (JP): Defendants Tonggo Sinurat, alias Rinaldi, 31, and Sanggam Tambunan, 29, lowered their heads as the judge told them not to commit murder again.

"In another week or so, the prosecutor might demand 10 years, 15 years or more for the murder you both planned, committed and confessed to. But what's the use of a heavy sentence if you commit murder again later?" presiding judge Ali Akmal Haky said at Central Jakarta District Court.

"No matter how poor you are, there's no excuse for murder."

The two defendants are charged with murdering Arifianto, who they later stole about Rp 200 million (US$22,471) from at a rented house on Jl. Murdai Raya, Central Jakarta, on Jan. 19.

Prosecutor Samadi told the previous hearing that both defendants had violated Article 340 on premeditated murder, which carries the death penalty if convicted.

Both Rinaldi and Sanggam confessed at Friday's hearing that they planned to murder Arifianto so he would not tell anyone he was robbed.

"There was no other way," Rinaldi said, adding that the third man involved, Rapollo Siahaan, was still at large.

A postmortem report dated Feb. 3 stated the victim was found with strangulation marks around his neck, and open wounds and bruises on his head, face, neck and back, which were caused by both blunt and sharp objects.

The report also said the victim died from severe head injuries after he was beaten by a blunt object.

Samadi said Rinaldi made at least three calls to the victim from the rented house on Jan. 19, as witnessed by Sanggam and suspect Rapollo.

"Rinaldi told Arifianto that there was going to be a transaction involving $20,000 and asked the victim to come and pick Rinaldi up in front of the VIP money changer on Jl. Menteng Raya in Central Jakarta," Samadi said.

He said witness Elly Susanto saw the victim withdrawing up to Rp 200 million from the Muara Karang branch of Bank Mandiri and answering calls made by Rinaldi as she was with the victim at the time.

On Jl. Menteng Raya, Arifianto picked up defendant Rinaldi in a blue Isuzu Panther van and headed for the house, carrying the money in a plastic bag, Samadi said.

"Defendant Rinaldi introduced Arifianto to defendant Sanggam and then signaled Sanggam to hit him," he said.

On the signal, Sanggam immediately struck Arifianto hard with a wooden plank on the front and back of his head, he said. The victim fell to the ground.

"After that, Rinaldi held the victim while Rapollo strangled him," Samadi said.

Sanggam went inside the bathroom, but when Rinaldi and Rapollo saw the victim writhing in pain, they called Sanggam, he said. Sanggam entered the living room and beat the victim's head until he stopped moving, he said.

He said the men put the body into the victim's van and headed for Jl. Kemayoran in Central Jakarta. Before they reached Kemayoran, Samadi said Sanggam stopped a taxi.

"Sanggam got in it and followed the van until they got to Jl. Kemayoran," Samadi said.

At Kemayoran, Rinaldi parked the car and left the engine on, he said, and then Rapollo and Rinaldi got into Sanggam's taxi.

"They checked into room no. 215 of Hotel Menteng I on Jl. Gondangdia Lama, and divided the cash among them. Rinaldi got Rp 70 million, Sanggam Rp 75 million and Rapollo Rp 55 million."

Judge Ali adjourned the hearing until Aug. 15, when prosecutor Samadi will read his demand. (ylt)