0 Student stands trial for murder

The trial of a student accused of murdering Alawy Yusianto Putra, 15, began on Tuesday at the South Jakarta District Court. Fitra Rahmadani, 20, was charged with murder, forceful attack and fatal assault under Articles 338, 170 and 35 of the Criminal Code. “The defendant intentionally committed murder,” prosecutor Arya Wicaksana said reading the indictment before a panel of judges, presided over by judge Hariono. 

Fitra (alias Doyok) faces a maximum term of 15 years in prison if found guilty. Fitra, who was expelled from SMA 70 high school in Bulungan, South Jakarta, in December due to a poor academic record, was allegedly involved in the attack of a smaller number of students from neighboring SMA 6 that resulted in the death of Alawy, a freshman. Fitra arrived at court at around 1 p.m., was dressed in a white T-shirt, baseball cap with a dark jacket covering his face. When he walked in to the courtroom an hour later, he flashed a grin for photographers while Alawy’s mother, Endang Pujihastuti, spat derogatory comments at him. 

In the indictment, the prosecutors revealed that on Sept. 24, 2012, Fitra and two schoolmates, identified as MIM and SD, were loitering at a bus station near to their school when other students shouted a warning that SMA 6 students were preparing to attack. Fitra and 15 friends later headed to the Bulungan traffic circle, where Alawy and his two friends were hanging out. On the way, Fitra borrowed a sickle from HA. The SMA 6 students ran back to their school, leaving Alawy behind. 

“The defendant chased the victim and as he approached him, he swayed the sickle with his right hand to the chest of the victim once. The sickle punctured the victim’s chest and he died of the wound,” Arya said. Alawy died from the force of the sharp object that hit his heart and caused severe bleeding, Arya said. The father, mother and sister of the late Alawy sobbed uncontrollably as the prosecutor read the timeline of events. 

After allowing the defendant to consult his lawyers, presiding judge Hariono asked whether he had anything to say to the court. Fitra answered the judge with a very low voice that one of his lawyers, Nazaruddin Lubis, would talk for him. “The defendant wants to correct the indictment, so we hope to get one week to finish it,” Nazaruddin said. The court was adjourned until Jan. 30. Fitra fled the city after the violent incident. He was arrested at a rented room in Sleman, Yogyakarta, several days later. 

Six of his friends, all seniors at SMA 70, had also been named suspect and are to stand separate trials as they are still below the age of 18. They are charged with group assault in a separate dossier case, which carries a maximum punishment of five years’ imprisonment.

source : the jakarta post