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Jessica’s case heads to court
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Murder suspect Jessica Kumala Wongso (second left) is escorted on Friday by the Jakarta Police to the Jakarta Prosecutor's Office before being detained at the Pondok Bambu women's detention center in East Jakarta. (kompas.com /Akhdi Martin Pratama)
T
he Jakarta Prosecutor's Office has submitted the case file of murder suspect Jessica Kumala Wongso to the Central Jakarta District Court.
"Now, we're waiting for the trial schedule from the Central Jakarta District Court. We have submitted the case file and indictment to the court," prosecutor's office spokesman Waluyo told thejakartapost.com on Wednesday.
The murder of Wayan Mirna Salihin grabbed people's attention, especially after the police investigation dragged on. Prosecutors initially rejected the case dossier four times because the police had failed to include strong evidence.
The Jakarta Prosecutor’s Office accepted the case dossier only two days after the 120-day detention period of Jessica expired on May 26.
Jessica is being detained at the Pondok Bambu women's detention center in East Jakarta while awaiting trial.
Jessica has been accused of murdering Mirna on Jan. 6. The case started when Jessica, Mirna and another friend shared a table at Olivier restaurant in Central Jakarta. Mirna died on her way to the hospital after drinking an iced coffee.
Waluyo said his office had included 45 pieces of evidence in documents submitted to the court. "We will present CCTV footage, trousers, cyanide, coffee, a paper bag and other evidence to the judges," Waluyo said, adding that the evidence was being kept at the Central Jakarta Prosecutor's Office.
Previously, Hidayat Bostam, one of Jessica’s lawyers, said police investigators had weak evidence because CCTV footage did not prove that Jessica had laced the victim's coffee with cyanide.
“There was no movement of Jessica’s hand [indicating] that she poured poison into Mirna’s coffee cup. There is also no eyewitness testimony,” said Hidayat.
Jessica has been accused of premeditated murder, the maximal punishment for which is the death penalty. (bbn)
