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The court of law of Amlapura has just made the first death sentence in its history. I Putu Suaka (Keteg), 50 years old, was convicted to the highest punishment available for murdering entire family of a police officer. The sentence announced by board of judges chaired by Nyoman Somananda, S.H. on Monday, September 22nd.

The murderer of a police officer Komang Alit Srinata (50 years old), his wife, his child, and his nephew remained calm when listening to the sentence, whilst family relative of the victim express their satistaction. The sentence made by a board of three judges including the chairman and two members Ketut Somanasa, S.H. and Reza, S.H. was exactly the same as proposed by the prosecutor Ketut Kindra, S.H.

Weighing considerations were that the defendant action was at extreme cruelty, creating fear to the community, and the fact that he has been to sent to prison twice for stealing motorcycle. On the other hand the beard of judges did not find any lightening considerations. Therefore the board of judges concluded that the defendant deserved for maximum punishment.

Soon after the sentence was annouced, the defendant tried to ask for five minutes of time to consult his lawyers. However, the judges gave him one week to decide weather he would accept, refuse and appeal to higher court, or propose for forgiveness to the president.

With regard to the murder, Keteg committed to first degree of planned murder of Alit Srinata, his wife Ni Kadek Suti (48 years old), his son I Kadek Sugita (20 years old), and his nephew I Gede Sujana (21 years old) back on January 26th at the residence of the victim, located at Gamongan village, Tiyingtali, Karangasem. The motive behind his action was revenge and will to rob the victim’s belongings. Prior to this action Keteg has also committed to murdering two other families at Jinengdalem village and Sudaju village in Buleleng with four victims in total. In all of hois actions Keteg has murdered a total of 8 victims, all with the same method, poisonation of potassium cyanide in beverages.