Youths face 18-year jail sentences for slayings
Youths face 18-year jail sentences for slayings
JAKARTA (JP): Prosecutors demanded here yesterday that a court sentence three youths to 18 years in prison for allegedly killing four people.
A team of prosecutors comprised of Siti Ratna, Sri Yatmi and Wirzal Yanuar are seeking the minimum punishment under chapter 340 of the criminal code violations, which cites that those found guilty of premeditated murder are to face capital punishment, life in prison or a minimum 20-year prison term.
"The 18-year prison term indictment was due to the youths' legal status of still being minors," prosecutor Sri Yatmi told reporters after the closed hearing.
The three were alleged to have taken part in the killing of teacher Rohadi's family last year, the prosecutors told the East Jakarta district court.
The defendants identified only as Alb., 15, Lamb., 12, and Klem., 13, were charged with killing Rohadi's wife and three children.
On Oct. 2, 1995, Elly Kusneli and her three children -- Gilang Fauzi, 7, Citra Utami, 4, and Rizky Wahyu Ramadhan, 2 -- were found in a pool of blood at their home in Bambu Apus subdistrict in East Jakarta.
The prosecutor's indictment stated that the three children were allegedly asked to take part in the murder by two other suspects, Philipus Kia Lejab and his wife, Suparm
Philipus -- the prime suspect in the killings -- allegedly informed Suparmi about his plan to kill Rohadi's family one day before the actual tragedy took place.
Motive
The motive behind the killings was said to have been the destruction by the Rohadi children of Philipus' cassava plants. This plan was allegedly conceived so that Philipus could purchase the Rohadi family's land. He had allegedly planned to build a house on the land, which he later planned to rent out to prospective customers.
Philipus' son Alb. and his nephew Lamb.-- who was spending his school holiday at Philipus' home -- were allegedly informed by Philipus about the conspiracy on the morning of Oct. 2. Klem.-- another nephew -- was notified about the plan later on.
According to the plan, the gang would use the planting of cassava as an excuse for bringing a long knife and being close to Rohadi's house.
Philipus, who lived about 200 meters from the Rohadi family's home, owned a plot of land surrounding Rohadi's house.
Testimonies from 23 witnesses were heard during the closed hearing, led by Judge Farida Achmad.
The team of lawyers representing the youths are to present their arguments on May 15. (14)