P

rosecutors in Maumere, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) have sought the death penalty against former priest Herman Jumat Masan, 45, for premeditated murder in the slaying of Yosephine Kerodok Payong, or Mery Grace, and two infants from an illicit relationship with Mery.

Agung Raka Putra Dharmana, public prosecutor at Maumere Prosecutor'€™s Office told The Jakarta Post over the phone from East Manggarai that the demand was read during a hearing presided by judge Beslin Sihombing at the Maumere District Court in Sikka regency on Tuesday.

Agung said Herman was found to have buried the bodies to cover up the murder and according to Article 340 of the Criminal Code on premeditated murder he was guilty of committing premeditated murder.

Agung added that as a priest, Herman should have set a good example for his congregation and should not have committed the act repeatedly in a sacred place.

His alleged crimes have caused public anxiety, especially as Mery'€™s family had been looking for her for the past 10 years.

Herman'€™s wrongdoing has caused the death of three people and deep misery to their family.

When asked about the fact that some elements of the public in Maumere had rejected the death sentence for Herman, Agung said the panel of judges might disagree with the prosecutors in handing down the verdict.

According to prosecutor Winarko, as was reported by tribunnews.com, Herman initially met Mery in Hokeng, where he served as a priest in 1995. The victim was then a student at the Ledalero Catholics Philosophy Institute (STFK).

In 1997, Herman was posted to Lela and Mary worked at the Lela Hospital. In 1998, both of them established a relationship.

In 1998, Mery became pregnant but kept it secret. In 1999, at 7 p.m. local time, their first child was born in Herman'€™s room. They gagged the baby'€™s mouth until it died. The baby was buried in front of Herman'€™s room and they grew flowers above the grave as a mark.

In March 2002, Mery again gave birth to their second child. They let the baby die and also buried it in front of Herman'€™s room.

After giving birth to the baby, Mery suffered a hemorrhage, but she was not taken to a doctor for nine days. She eventually died and was also buried in front of Herman'€™s room.

The case came to light after witness Maria Sofiana related the matter to Father Piter Payong SVD, who was Mery'€™s relative. Maria said she directly learned from Herman about his relationship with Mery and about the two babies, which were buried in Lela, together with Mery.

Her family reported the case to the Sikka Police, who later unearthed the graves in Lela on Jan. 27.

The police found human bones, which were later identified as Mery and her two infant boys.

Police then inquired witnesses and legally processed Herman until he was put on trial at the Maumere District Court.

When reached by phone on Thursday, Herman'€™s lawyer, Marianus Noa, said Herman would deliver his plea against the death penalty when the trial resumed on Tuesday.

Marianus said the aggravating factor for the defendant was hiding the deaths of three people in Lela, while the mitigating factor was the defendant had so far been cooperative and frank during the trial and that none of the witnesses saw the crimes.