Saulina had stood trial for cutting down a durian tree that allegedly belonged to Japaya Sitorus, 70, of Panamean village in Uluan district.

The sentence handed down by the Balige District Court’s judicial panel, headed by judge Marshal Tarigan, is lighter than the two months the prosecution had demanded.

Japaya accused Saulina of destroying his durian tree, which was located in the middle of the village cemetery, without his permission. Saulina cut down the tree because she, along with her six children, wanted to erect a tombstone where the tree stood.

Japaya's suit also included Saulina’s children: Luster Naiborhu, 62, Bilson Naiborhu, 60, Maston Naiborhu, 47, Marbun Naiborhu, 46, and Jisman Naiborhu, 45. The court also found them guilty of the offense and sentenced them each to four months and 10 days in jail.

“They intentionally cut down my tree so they could erect a tombstone for their ancestors,” he said, adding that the incident had caused him suffer hundreds of millions of rupiah in losses.

Saulina’s lawyer, Boy Raja Marpaung, said he would file an appeal, saying that the court's ruling was unfair.

“Many witnesses said they had never observed Japaya planting the tree or harvesting durian from it. The judge didn’t take this into consideration,” he said.

Meanwhile, Boy's client appeared to protest his decision to appeal, saying, “Please, I’ve had enough of trial. This has drained my energy.”

Prosecutor Sumanggar Siagian said he would follow any course the defendant’s legal team decided to pursue. (vla/ebf)

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