T

he Denpasar District Court has sentenced Heru Hendriyanto and Putu Anita Sukra Dewi to death for murdering their employers.

The husband-and-wife team were convicted on Tuesday of the premeditated murders of Made Purnabawa, 28; his wife, Ni Luh Ayu Sri Mahayoni, 27; and their 9-year-old daughter, Ni Wayan Risna Ayu Dewi, at their home in the Kampial Residence in South Kuta in February.

Heru was the family’s driver, while Anita worked as their housemaid.

While reading the verdict for the pair, lead judge I Gusti Agung Bagus Komang Wijaya Adhi said that the court also found Heru and Anita guilty of conspiracy under article 55 of the Criminal Code (KUHP).

Heru and Anita announced their intention to appeal the verdict, which prompted an outburst from the families of the victims in the courtroom.

The court determined that Heru and Anita conspired to entice four accomplices to aid them in murdering the Purnabawa family on Feb. 16.

The accomplices were identified as Abdul Kodir, 36; Safa’at, 32; and Sugiono, 21; who are on trial separately; and Hadi, who is still a fugitive.

The details of the murder are grim. The three victims were beaten to death with wooden planks as the selpt.

Kodir was allegedly tasked with killing Mahayoni, while Safa’at killed Purnabawa, and Hadi killed the 9-year-old.

Heru and Anita were present at the crime scene to supervise the executions. Before the executions, they also killed the family’s dog and buried it in the family compound.

The last time Indonesia conducted judicial executions was in 2008, when 10 people convicted of murder or narcotics charges, including three of the Bali bombers, were executed by firing squad.