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lawyer for Jessica Kumala Wongso, 27, the suspect in the death of her friend Wayan Mirna Salihin, 27, has urged the police to find more suspects, raising suspicion about someone trying to collect US$5 million worth of insurance claims as a possible motive in the case.

'€œWhy is Jessica the only person targeted in this case when it is possible that other persons were involved?'€ Jessica'€™s lawyer Yudi Wibowo Sukinto asked on Friday.

He claimed somebody might have registered Mirna with an insurance scheme abroad, and that that person could not claim the insurance unless Mirna was murdered. '€œIf the person can provide proof that Mirna died as a result of murder, they will get US$5 million [in death insurance claims],'€ he said without elaborating.

'€œJessica is just a scapegoat in this case,'€ he added.

'€œShe [Mirna] must have died of some disease. She drank the coffee at 4 p.m and died at 6 p.m. If she had died of cyanide poisoning, it would not have taken that long,'€ he said.

Since the murder of his daughter in early January, Mirna'€™s father Dermawan Salihin has talked to the press numerous times, throwing in supposed clues here and there, including telling reporters about Jessica'€™s alleged messages to Mirna that claimed pointed to romantic feelings Jessica had for Mirna.

Jessica'€™s name as a suspect circulated through social media and chat groups even before police began their investigation.

Mirna died on Jan. 6, and on the following day Jessica'€™s name was circulating through anonymous messages shared rapidly on the internet. Jessica was named a suspect on Jan. 29 and arrested on the same day. The police, however, have not revealed any motive ever since naming her a suspect.

Jakarta Police general crimes director Sr. Comr. Krishna Murti said the motive would be presented in court.

Arguing that Jessica has been named a suspect without sufficient evidence, her lawyers filed a pretrial motion with the Cenral Jakarta District Court, which ruled in favor of the police on Tuesday. The
ruling paves the way for police detectives to continue questioning Jessica.

With the case gaining massive public attention, Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Tito Karnavian on Friday warned the press against making judgments or drawing conclusions in the case.

'€œThe process of clashing evidence should only occur in the courtroom, not by the press. We should not engage in trial by media,'€ he said.

'€œI have also warned investigators not to be influenced by public opinion. I told them to focus only on gathering as much evidence as possible.'€

Mirna died after taking just a sip of iced coffee at a café in the Grand Indonesia mall in Central Jakarta. She reportedly went into convulsions and foamed at the mouth after drinking the coffee, which was reportedly ordered and paid for by Jessica who had arrived an hour earlier. A third friend identified only as Hany joined them at the café and remains a witness in the case.