Trial of a suspected drug dealer adjourned

JAKARTA (JP): The West Jakarta District Court adjourned on Monday a trial of a woman charged with selling Nipam pills to at least 20 elementary school students after the woman asked for leniency.

The defendant, 35-year-old Sutinah, pleaded guilty as charged but asked presiding judge Soeratno to have mercy on her and give her a chance to earn money to support her parents and children. Soeratno said he would consider her request and would resume the trial on Oct. 18.

During Monday's session, Sutinah was not accompanied by a defense counsel.

In his charges, prosecutor Andi Herman said Sutinah was guilty of keeping and selling illegal drugs and asked the court to sentence her to a one-year jail term and order her to pay a fine of Rp 200,000 (US$27) as stipulated in Chapter 12, Article 2 in Law No. 5/1997 on Psychotropic Drugs. (01)