TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Jessica's trial adjourned as lawyers, prosecutors quarrel
Change Size
Australian forensic pathologist Beng Beng Ong (right) testifies as a witness in Jessica Kumala Wongso's murder trial in the Central Jakarta District Court on Tuesday. (Antara/Rivan Awal Lingga)
T
he judge in Jessica Kumala Wongso's murder trial adjourned proceedings at the Central Jakarta District Court on Wednesday as the hearing descended into chaos following a quarrel between prosecutors and defense lawyers over forensic pathologist Djaja Surya Atmadja's testimony.
The quarrel began when prosecutor Sugih Carvalho rejected Djaja's statement that someone who was poisoned by cyanide would have their lips turn red, and not blue. Sugih said such a statement favored Jessica because murder victim Wayan Mirna Salihin’s lips were bluish.
"How could you say that Mirna's lips were red? According to doctors' report her lips were blue," Sugih said.
Djaja who asked the prosecutor to respect him explained that Sugih misinterpreted his statement. He only stated a symptom of cyanide poisoning according to science, and it was not a refutation of the medical report.
Another prosecutor, Hari Wibowo, questioned Djaja's competency. Although Djaja insisted he was an expert in forensic pathology and forensic toxicology, the prosecutor kept raising questions about his background.
The quarrel reached a climax as prosecutor Sandhy Handika complained to the judge about the little time provided to examine Djaja. Sandhy then pushed him to reveal documents he had received from Jessica’s lawyer Otto Hasibuan.
Djaja's silence, refusing to answer the question, inflamed Sandhy's anger. "Do you understand what you analyzed?" the prosecutor asked angrily.
Hearing that, Otto shouted at prosecutors to respect the witness. Sandhy shot back demanding the lawyer respect the prosecutors. The shouting between the two camps continued until the judge banged the gavel suspending the trial. (ags)
