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| Bali police killing: Briton David Taylor tells court he acted in self-defence Bali police killing: Briton David Taylor tells court he acted in self-defence | |
| (30 days later) | |
| A British man facing murder charges in Bali over the killing of a policeman, along with his Australian girlfriend, has told his trial that he acted in self-defence and was not aware the man was a policeman when he hit him with a beer bottle and binoculars. | A British man facing murder charges in Bali over the killing of a policeman, along with his Australian girlfriend, has told his trial that he acted in self-defence and was not aware the man was a policeman when he hit him with a beer bottle and binoculars. |
| David Taylor and Sara Connor are facing charges of unpremeditated murder, which carries a maximum 15-year jail sentence, fatal assault in company and assault causing death. | David Taylor and Sara Connor are facing charges of unpremeditated murder, which carries a maximum 15-year jail sentence, fatal assault in company and assault causing death. |
| The battered body of police officer Wayan Sudarsa, 53, was found on Kuta’s popular tourist beach in the early hours of 17 August. He had 42 wounds to his body, including 17 to the head. Connor’s lawyers have previously said she is innocent – that she did not take part in the alleged assault and only tried to separate Taylor and Sudarsa as they fought. | The battered body of police officer Wayan Sudarsa, 53, was found on Kuta’s popular tourist beach in the early hours of 17 August. He had 42 wounds to his body, including 17 to the head. Connor’s lawyers have previously said she is innocent – that she did not take part in the alleged assault and only tried to separate Taylor and Sudarsa as they fought. |
| Taylor has confessed to hitting Sudarsa in self-defence after a fight broke out when he accused the officer of stealing Connor’s handbag. | Taylor has confessed to hitting Sudarsa in self-defence after a fight broke out when he accused the officer of stealing Connor’s handbag. |
| Speaking through his translator, Taylor told the Denpasar district court: “I didn’t hit the victim’s face with the bottle but with binoculars to defend myself. I used the bottle to hit the back of the victim’s head once. It is not true that I did it with intention to kill but only to defend myself.” | Speaking through his translator, Taylor told the Denpasar district court: “I didn’t hit the victim’s face with the bottle but with binoculars to defend myself. I used the bottle to hit the back of the victim’s head once. It is not true that I did it with intention to kill but only to defend myself.” |
| Connor, 46, and 34-year-old Taylor – whose family were in court from the UK – were brought from Kerobokan prison without handcuffs and held hands before entering court where they are being tried separately | Connor, 46, and 34-year-old Taylor – whose family were in court from the UK – were brought from Kerobokan prison without handcuffs and held hands before entering court where they are being tried separately |
| Connor, who is from Byron Bay, has denied any part in the death. Her legal team has said the charges against her are based on speculation and imagination. | Connor, who is from Byron Bay, has denied any part in the death. Her legal team has said the charges against her are based on speculation and imagination. |
| Connor’s lawyers filed an objection to her charges – asking for them to be dismissed. | Connor’s lawyers filed an objection to her charges – asking for them to be dismissed. |
| On Tuesday, Connor’s lawyer, Erwin Siregar, said the objection was based on the fact prosecutors had not written the indictment clearly and completely. “It is enough reason for the indictment to be cancelled,” Siregar said. | On Tuesday, Connor’s lawyer, Erwin Siregar, said the objection was based on the fact prosecutors had not written the indictment clearly and completely. “It is enough reason for the indictment to be cancelled,” Siregar said. |
| “The prosecution has been inaccurate, unclear and incomplete in formulating the indictment,” Connor’s legal team said. | “The prosecution has been inaccurate, unclear and incomplete in formulating the indictment,” Connor’s legal team said. |
| He said Connor should only be charged with destroying evidence rather than murder. This carries a maximum nine-month jail term. She has confessed to cutting up Sudarsa’s ID cards. | He said Connor should only be charged with destroying evidence rather than murder. This carries a maximum nine-month jail term. She has confessed to cutting up Sudarsa’s ID cards. |
| Siregar demanded the judges accept the objection, declare the indictment cancelled, release Connor from jail and that her court costs be paid by the Indonesian government. | Siregar demanded the judges accept the objection, declare the indictment cancelled, release Connor from jail and that her court costs be paid by the Indonesian government. |
| He conceded that 95% of objections are refused “but still there is a 5% chance so we will see whether the judge will accept my objection”. | He conceded that 95% of objections are refused “but still there is a 5% chance so we will see whether the judge will accept my objection”. |
| “Accepted or not, at least I think the case will go to the high court, the supreme court, maybe with an extraordinary appeal. But we are optimistic that Sara is not guilty.’’ | “Accepted or not, at least I think the case will go to the high court, the supreme court, maybe with an extraordinary appeal. But we are optimistic that Sara is not guilty.’’ |
| Connor had only tried to separate Taylor and Sudarsa as they allegedly wrestled on the sand, Siregar said. | Connor had only tried to separate Taylor and Sudarsa as they allegedly wrestled on the sand, Siregar said. |
| However, a witness in the hearings on Wednesday – police investigator Suhardi – said Connor had “confessed” to hitting Sudarsa once with her hand. | However, a witness in the hearings on Wednesday – police investigator Suhardi – said Connor had “confessed” to hitting Sudarsa once with her hand. |
| Judge Made Pasek said the court would hear the prosecution’s reply to the objection on Monday. Connor’s lawyers expect a decision to be made next Wednesday. | Judge Made Pasek said the court would hear the prosecution’s reply to the objection on Monday. Connor’s lawyers expect a decision to be made next Wednesday. |
| Taylor’s lawyer, Haposan Sihombing, said Taylor’s parents, John and Janet Taylor, and older sister, Rachel Taylor, wanted to meet the victim’s family before they returned to the UK next week. So far there had been no response. | Taylor’s lawyer, Haposan Sihombing, said Taylor’s parents, John and Janet Taylor, and older sister, Rachel Taylor, wanted to meet the victim’s family before they returned to the UK next week. So far there had been no response. |
| Connor will return to court on Monday. Taylor’s trial resumes next Wednesday, when five more witnesses are expected to appear. | Connor will return to court on Monday. Taylor’s trial resumes next Wednesday, when five more witnesses are expected to appear. |