Students on trial for killing and robbery

JAKARTA (JP): A prosecutor asked the Central Jakarta District Court yesterday to sentence three students to nine years in jail each for killing a housemaid and stealing jewelry worth Rp 3.5 million (US$388).

Prosecutor Andrizal said the defendants -- Martin Togi Nababan, 16, Richard Ramses El Tobing, 16, and Rudi Yanto alias Lay Cien Sang, 16 -- were guilty of brutally killing Ningsih, 50, in a house on Jl. Gunung Sahari on Aug. 1.

Andrizal said the defendants had come to the house, belonging to Martin's grandmother, Kristiani Hutasoit, and met the housemaid who was alone.

Martin told his friends to help him steal his grandmother's jewelry after the maid went to the kitchen, the prosecutor said.

Andrizal said the housemaid, after seeing Martin trying to break into his grandmother's bedroom, screamed for help.

Angered by her shouts, Martin and his friends attacked Ningsih, he said.

Martin repeatedly beat the victim with a teapot before tying her hands and taping her mouth, he said.

The defendants then lied the victim on a mattress in the housemaid's bedroom, sprayed gasoline on it and set it ablaze before escaping with the jewelry, he said.

Police arrested the defendants in Bali on Aug. 10.

Andrizal said the defendants violated Article 365 (3) for robbery and deadly assault.

Presiding judge Asmar Ismail adjourned the trial until next week to hear the defendants' lawyer's arguments. (jun)