Suspect faces six years

JAKARTA (JP): Prosecutor demanded six years of prison at court yesterday for an alleged murderer.

Prosecutor Muhammad Yusuf told the Central Jakarta District Court that the suspect, identified only as GS, has been proven guilty of murdering a woman named Wati on October 16, 1995 at Sahid Jaya Hotel.

Throughout the hearing, GS was wiping away a flow of tears from his face with a checkered green handkerchief.

GS, a Malaysian citizen, was in Jakarta on a business trip. He met Wati through a friend.

After a sexual intercourse on the night of October 15, Wati repeatedly demanded that GS marry her. GS said that, following an argument, he lost his temper and strangled Wati to death.

"The suspect admitted his wrongdoing and compensated the victim's family who has forgiven him," Muhammad said.

On June 12, suspect GS made a compensation of Rp 5 million (about US$ 2,580), as witnessed by a team of judges presided by H.M. Dalail.

The maximum sentence for premeditated murder is 15 years.

Suspect GS, 27, has been detained since October 17 last year.

The court hearing was adjourned until next Wednesday when the suspect's lawyer, Amir Syamsuddin, will defend him.(14)