Prosecutors are seeking a 2.5- year sentence for Ida Bagus Made Adnyana Narbawa, a defendant in the murder of Radar Bali journalist Narendra Prabangsa, much lighter than other defendants who face more than 10 years in prison or the death sentence.
During a session at the Denpasar District Court on Thursday, prosecutors said Narbawa, also known as Gus Oblong, had helped the proceedings through his testimony.
Gus Oblong was proven guilty of committing an act that claimed someone's life.
He was also found guilty of helping to hide the victim's body to conceal the homicide.
Prosecutor Raka Arimbawa said while reading out the prosecution's case that the defendant had helped other defendants beat the victim and throw the body into the sea.
However, he did not mention any points that would earn the defendant a heavier sentence.
Mitigating factors include the claim that the defendant only hit the victim after being ordered to by his boss, Nyoman Susrama, also the mastermind in the case.
"The defendant helped unravel the case by giving clear testimony," Arimbawa said.
Gus Oblong was the only one of the nine defendants who admitted his role in the murder.
Previously, the other defendants had withdrawn testimonies they had already submitted to the police.
"The defendant expressed his regret and promised not to repeat his actions," Arimbawa said.
The next session, scheduled for Feb. 4, will hear a defense statement from Gus Oblong.
Next week's session will hear the prosecution against defendants Jampes and Endy.
Two other defendants in the case, Komang Gede Wardana, also known as Mangde, and I Dewa Gede Muliantara, also known as Dewa Sumbawa, were tried separately on Thursday.
Prosecutors are seeking a life sentence for Mangde.
Prosecutor Made Jaya Ardana said the defendant had been proven guilty of helping plan the murder, violating an article on premeditated murder.
Dewa Sumbawa was proven guilty of committing an act that claims someone's life.
Prosecutors are seeking a 10-year sentence for him, saying he helped other defendants hit the victim and throw the victim's body into the sea while the victim was still alive.
Wednesday's session also saw prosecutors seeking a 10-year sentence for defendant Wayan Suecita.
