Model murderer could face 15 years in prison: Police chief

Hasyim Widhiarto ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Thu, 11/19/2009 1:09 PM  |  City

A makeup artist accused of murdering his would-be client in West Jakarta earlier this month could face 15 years of imprisonment, a police official said.

"It is almost certain that we will charge him with murder and violent theft, which would carry a maximum sentence of 15 years in jail," West Jakarta police chief Sr. Comr. A. Kamil Razak told The Jakarta Post Wednesday.

Kamil said the police's questioning found no indication that the murder was premeditated.

"It seemed that he suddenly committed *the murder* because he was very upset with the victim," he said, adding that the police were currently waiting for the autopsy.

Dede "Fajar" Setiawan was arrested on Tuesday at his parent's house in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, a week after he killed freelance model and university student Setianti "Tia" Retno Dewi at Mediterania Garden apartments in West Jakarta

He claimed he had done it purely for financial gain. Tia, he said, had several times promised to use his services, but then cancelled their appointments.

Dede visited Tia at her apartment on Nov. 9 and asked to borrow money. After she turned him down, Dede became enraged, beating Tia to death with a set of bathroom scales. Tia's body was found by her friends on Nov. 11.

During interrogation Dede did not portray any psychological problems, Kamil said, rebutting the public's opinion that Dede was a cold-blooded murderer.

"He answered all the investigators' questions calmly and in order," he said. "So, I don't think he needs a psychiatrist to assist him,"

Separately, in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, a woman died while her husband was severely injured Wednesday after their uncle, who worked for them, attacked the couple with a knife, stabbing them several times.

The suspect, identified as Koen, 60, tried to commit suicide by cutting his throat, but survived.

The motive behind the incident remains unclear.

"We are still questioning the witnesses," North Jakarta crime detective chief Comr. Suwondo Nainggolan said as quoted by vivanews.com.

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