Transvestite tried for murder

BOGOR: A transvestite and his accomplice attended the first session of their murder trial at the Cibinong District Court on Monday, only to have the session adjourned due to their absent lawyers.

Benged Siahaan alias Lilis, 37, a transvestite, is being tried alongside Hero Lamia, 27, who planned the murder of Abdul Kadir. Lilis was the victim's lover, and his alleged motive behind the murder was money for a sex-change operation. Lamia, on the other hand, claimed the victim owed him Rp 500,000.

Presiding judge Eka Budi Prijanta, however, adjourned the session because the defendants' lawyers failed to appear. Prosecutor Isrofi said that he was not aware why the lawyers, R. Rambe, Mulia Purba, and Lie Rudi were absent from the session.

Earlier reports said that the two defendants, residents of Cimanggis, Depok, allegedly committed the crime with the help of another man named Jumari bin Rasdan, 45, and Siahaan's wife, Nursumiyati Binti Prawirosumito, 35, who was apparently jealous of the victim.

Lilis served the victim a glass of milk laced with sleeping pills before hacking his body to pieces. --JP