Judges Expected to be Progressive in Richard’s Verdict

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

The defendant in the murder case of Nofriansyah Yosua Hutabarat or Brigadier J, Kuat Ma'ruf after undergoing a trial at the South Jakarta District Court, Tuesday (14/2/2023). Strong Ma'ruf was sentenced to 15 years in prison by the panel of judges.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — After four defendants tried for the premediated murder of Nofriansyah Yosua Hutabarat received more severe sentences than the prosecution demanded, the public's attention is now on the sentencing of Richard Eliezer, which is scheduled for Wednesday (15/2/2023). The judicial panel is expected to be progressive in its sentence for Richard, who acted as a justice collaborator, because his role was very important and significant in solving the Nofriansyah murder case.

In a separate hearing at the South Jakarta District Court on Tuesday (14/2), the judicial panel, presided by lead judge Wahyu Iman Santoso along with judges Morgan Simanjuntak and Alimin Ribut Sujono, stated that Kuat Ma'ruf and Ricky Rizal had been proven to have participated in planning Nofriansyah’s murder.

Kuat Ma'ruf, a former domestic worker for Ferdy Sambo, the former head of the National Police’s internal affairs division (Propam), was sentenced to 15 years in prison. This is seven years longer than the sentence prosecutors had demanded. Meanwhile, Ricky Rizal, a former aide to Sambo, was sentenced to 13 years in prison, five years longer than the prosecutors' demand.

Also read:

> Sambo and Putri Get Heavier Sentences than Prosecutors' Demands

> Judges Expected to Rely on Sense of Justice

The day before, the judges sentenced Sambo to death, heavier than the prosecutors’ demand of a life sentence. Meanwhile Sambo's wife, Putri Candrawathi, was sentenced to 20 years in prison, 12 years longer than demanded.

Of the five defendants being tried for premeditated murder, Richard is the only one yet to be sentenced. Previously, prosecutors demanded that he be sentenced to 12 years in prison.

We hope that the sentence for Eliezer is the lightest among the other defendants.

Witness and Victim Protection Institute (LPSK) chairman Hasto Atmojo Suroyo expressed his hope that the judicial panel would be “progressive” in sentencing Richard, in consideration of his status as a justice collaborator, or a witness who voluntarily cooperated with law enforcement to uncover a crime. The judges were expected to pay serious attention to the LPSK’s recommendations and Law No. 31/2014 on protection of witnesses and victims.

"We hope that the sentence for Eliezer is the lightest among the other defendants. We hope the sentence is as light as possible, because his role has greatly helped the judicial process," he said.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

The defendant in the murder case of Nofriansyah Yosua Hutabarat or Brigadier J, Kuat Ma'ruf in the trial verdict at the South Jakarta District Court, Tuesday (14/2/2023).

As the institution that recommended Richard to be a justice collaborator, the LPSK hoped that the judges would decide through objective and independent considerations. Richard had regretted his actions, and had even apologized to the victim’s parents. He had also helped the prosecutors and judges in their work to solving Nofriansyah's murder.

"Yesterday's public response was really great, because they felt that the [prosectors’ sentence] demand for Eliezer were highly inappropriate for what had been presented during the judicial process. We hope that the judges can give a fair and balanced decision," said Hasto.

Roles of Kuat and Ricky

In the consideration of the sentence for Kuat Ma'ruf, judge Morgan revealed that Kuat’s strong involvement had been evident since the events on 7 July 2022 at Sambo’s private residence in Magelang, Central Java, where an altercation occurred between Nofriansyah and Putri, and Kuat took a knife and chased Nofriansyah to the garage.

Kuat also helped Putri, who was crying in her room accompanied by another domestic worker, Susi. Kuat also advised Putri to report the incident in Magelang to Sambo, using the expression, “so there are no thorns in the meat in the household”. Then on 8 July, while returning home from Magelang to Jakarta, Kuat took the initiative to bring along a kitchen knife for security, in the event of an altercation with Nofriansyah during the trip.

Arriving in Jakarta, Kuat met with Putri and Sambo at Sambo's private residence on Jl. Saguling III. During the meeting, Sambo asked Kuat about the incident in Magelang. Putri had deemed Kuat’s information regarding the Magelang incident to be important. The judge also considered the meeting at the Saguling residence as revealing of the thoughts of the defendants, who wanted to eliminate Nofriansyah.

Also read:

> Prosecutor: Ferdy Took Time to Plot Murder

> Prosecutors Conclude that There was No Sexual Harassment

During the fatal shooting of Nofriansyah on 8 July at Propam’s official residence in Duren Tiga, Kuat closed the door with an intent to secure the premises so the incident would be unknown to outsiders. Kuat also closed the door of the top floor balcony, even though it was still daylight. That job was actually the responsibility of Doryanto, alias Kodir, who worked as Sambo’s day-to-day household assistant at the Duren Tiga residence.

Meanwhile, in the consideration of the sentence for Ricky, the judicial panel also explained that Ricky had done a number of things before Nofriansyah was fatally shot. Ricky refused to shoot Nofriansyah as Sambo suggested, but did not refuse to provide Sambo with backup if Nofriansyah fought back. The judges regarded this as Ricky demonstrating the same will and intent as Sambo, Putri Candrawathi, Richard Eliezer, and Kuat. Moreover, Ricky was willing to convey Sambo's order for Richard to go to the third floor of the Saguling house without making any effort to prevent it when in fact, Ricky knew what Sambo’s order to Richard meant.

After his trial concluded, Kuat revealed that he would appeal the judges’ verdict. According to him, he did not kill and did not plan Nofriansyah’s murder.

Separately, Ricky's lawyer, Erman Umar, said he appreciated the judges’ verdict, but considered it to be unfair. "Certainly, we will appeal. We will fight. It should be zero because he refused," he said.

This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.