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Police detention inhumane, scary, Jessica says
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Defendant Jessica Kumala Wongso testifies at the Central Jakarta District Court as she stands trial for the murder of Wayan Mirna Salihin on Sept. 28. (Antara/Rosa Panggabean)
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essica Kumala Wongso shed tears during a hearing on Wednesday evening as she recalled her experience while in custody of the Jakarta Police, saying that it was an inhumane and scary experience.
Starting Jan. 30, Jessica was detained for four months after the police named her a suspect in the murder of Wayan Mirna Salihin. Jessica was detained in a private room.
"The room was so small and had no ventilation. The lighting was so strong and the lights could not be turned off. When it rained, the room would get inundated and there were a lot of cockroaches there," Jessica said, as she cried before the judges.
She also spoke of her conversation with former Jakarta Police general crimes director Sr. Comr. Krishna Murti during the investigation. She claimed Krishna told her that he had put his career at stake by arresting Jessica.
"Krishna pressured me to confess in exchange for seven years’ imprisonment instead of death or a life sentence. He said the maximum punishment for me would only be seven years and I could receive remission," she said.
She said police put her under hypnosis during questioning. Jessica said she lost consciousness during the hypnosis and could not recall what happened during the session. (evi)
