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Evidence from Australia irrelevant: Jessica’s lawyers
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Murder suspect Jessica Kumala Wongso consults her lawyers during a hearing at the Central Jakarta District Court on Wednesday . (kompas.com/ Andri Donnal Putera)
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awyers of murder suspect Jessica Kumala Wongso say any information obtained from the Australia Federal Police was irrelevant to her case, particularly as it concerned a traffic violation.
“Jessica once crashed into a wall in her car in Australia. It was merely a traffic violation for which she paid a fine,” Sordame Purba, one of Jessica’s lawyer, said at Central Jakarta District Court during Jessica’s first hearing on Wednesday.
Previously, the Jakarta Police said they had obtained a copy of Jessica’s criminal record in Australia from the Australian Federal Police.
Sordame stressed that 27-year-old Jessica, who is standing trail for the premeditated murder of Wayan Mirna Salihin, had not been a criminal in Australia as no court had issued a verdict against her.
Another of Jessica’s lawyers, Otto Hasibuan, said Jessica was a victim of misinformation because it had been assumed that she had been a criminal while living in Australia, while in fact she was only involved in a traffic violation.
“Even if Jessica committed a crime in Australia, it could not be used to accuse Jessica of murder because it does not relate to the death of Mirna,” Otto added.
Mirna died after drinking cyanide-laced iced coffee at Olivier restaurant in Central Jakarta on Jan. 6. She was with Jessica and another friend, Hani, at the time. (bbn)
