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AN INDONESIAN WOMAN was jailed for 20 years today for murdering a friend with poisoned coffee.
Jessica Kumala Wongso, 28, was found guilty of murdering Wayan Mirna Salihin by slipping cyanide into her drink at an upmarket cafe in the Indonesian capital Jakarta.
The soap opera-style tale of two members of Indonesia’s wealthy elite having a dramatic fallout that culminated in murder has captivated the country.
Premeditated
The murder, which Wongso carried out in January after becoming angered at 27-year-old Salihin’s criticism of her boyfriend, also generated huge interest in Australia, where the women studied together at a Sydney design college.
After hours reading the verdict in a courtroom overflowing with hundreds of journalists and members of the public, a three-judge panel declared Wongso guilty of premeditated murder and handed down the lengthy jail sentence.
“The defendant’s action was deplorable and sadistic because it was committed against her own friend,” presiding judge Kisworo, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, told the court.
“The defendant did not regret her action and claimed she did not do it.”
Wongso, who denies carrying out the crime, was emotionless as the ruling was handed down, then told the court:
I cannot accept the verdict, it’s very unfair.
Her legal team said they would file an appeal.
Some of Salihin’s relatives sobbed with relief after the verdict, with her twin sister Sandy telling journalists: “This is very hard, I am grateful.”
The victim’s supporters had rallied outside court throughout the day waving signs that read “Justice for Mirna”, and when the hearing concluded gave out white roses to police and journalists.
After drinking the iced Vietnamese coffee at the cafe in one of Jakarta’s fanciest malls, Salihin collapsed and began convulsing, then died soon afterwards in hospital.
Prosecutors said Wongso decided to murder Salihin after she advised the defendant to break up with a boyfriend as he was using drugs, saying that the “cruel” crime was planned “meticulously”.
Denials
Police say that she placed bags on the table to prevent CCTV cameras in the cafe from filming her slipping the poison into the coffee.
Wongso had vehemently denied murdering her friend, breaking down in tears as she took the stand during the trial to reject the allegations.
She had testified that she could not remember key details about the day and her defence team asserted the case against their client was weak and lacked evidence to prove guilt.
During the months-long trial, which began in June, three forensic experts called by the defence testified there was no proof Salihin’s death was caused by cyanide poisoning.
Australian authorities assisted with the case after receiving assurances that Wongso would not be handed the death penalty if found guilty of murder, a capital crime in Indonesia.
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RIp still very young
What a good actor of straight and comedy roles. RIP
Great actor I still watch Dalziel and Pascoe
I only watched him alongside Clint Eastwood in Firefox from 1982 on ITV4 last night-excellent film in which he played a memorable role. Very sad news, RIP
To soon to go Warren. Sleep easy now. R I P.
Loved him as the landlord in that classic football hooliganism film ID. RIP Mr Clarke.
Blackadder III, the Amy and Amiability sketch was a classic.
Clarke played Mr Hardwood, Amy’s father.
Mr H: “I’d rather take off all my clothes and paint my bottom blue than give her to a man who didn’t love her!
Edmund Blackadder : What self-respecting father could do more ?
H: On the other hand, if he’s a prince, he can have her for ten bob and a pickled egg.
E: I can see where your daughter gets her ready wit, sir.
H: I thank you.
E: Although where she gets her good looks and charm is perhaps more of a mystery.
H: No one ever made money out of good looks and charm.
E: You obviously haven’t met Lady Hamilton, sir.
So young so sad RIP
Rest in peace, great actor.
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