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)