Suspected killer's defense brushed aside
Suspected killer's defense brushed aside
JAKARTA (JP): The prosecution in the trial of Gunadi Tjahyo
Wargo, a soothsayer charged with the gruesome killing of a North
Jakarta doctor, asked the North Jakarta District Court yesterday
to disregard arguments from the defense that their indictment is
improperly written.
In the session on Monday defense lawyer Alamsyah Hanafiah had
asked presiding judge Surti Hari Pramono to reject the indictment
on the basis it fails to fulfill the basic requirements
stipulated in Article 143 section 2b of the Criminal Code.
He pointed out that the identity of the defendant, time of
death, location of death and the police search warrant and lab
report are all missing.
According to Prosecutor Omsin Subarkah, Alamsyah's demand for
the attachment of such documents is not yet relevant. He and co-
prosecutor Yuswa Kusumah stated that Alamsyah's argument stems
from a fundamental misinterpretation of the criminal code.
Omsin said the indictment was elaborately accurate and
complete and that the missing documents will be presented at a
more appropriate moment during the trial.
Gunadi was allegedly hired by Ridwan Surya Danu to kill his
lover, Dr. Riyama Yagowa, in January. Riyama, mother of two, had
just divorced her husband to marry Ridwan, a former banker who
was also married. The victim was decapitated
The police have speculated that Gunadi was also having an
affair with Riyama. According to Anton Bachrul Alam, chief of the
Penjaringan police subprecinct Gunadi committed the murder by
asking Riyama to lie down on the bed and cover her face with a
pillow in what he led her to believe was a love game.
Anton said Gunadi received Rp 120 million (US$55,684) from
Ridwan for committing the murder. Ridwan's money was believed to
have come from Riyama's bank account. On Dec. 21 Ridwan borrowed
Rp 200 million ($92,807) from Riyama to finance his automobile
business.
During yesterday's session, the court refused Alamsyah's
request for permission to submit more legal evidence in support
of his charge that the prosecution's indictment should be thrown
out of court.
The presiding judge said this would only prolong the trial.
Court was adjourned until June 4. (03)