Accused of Premeditated Murder, Yudha Arfandi Describes It as If He Were a Terrifying Monster Over Dante's Death

Kapanlagi.com - The continuation of the trial for the murder case of Dante was held again on Monday (7/10/2024). The agenda for this session was to listen to the defense note from the defendant, Yudha Arfandi, who had previously been sentenced to death by the Public Prosecutor (JPU).

On this occasion, Yudha Arfandi opened his defense with expressions of gratitude for the strength that God has given him and his family during these difficult times. He also thanked the Panel of Judges, Legal Advisors, and the JPU for their patient examination in uncovering the material truth.

According to him, this truth is important to ensure justice for all parties involved. Yudha then expressed his feelings of being pressured during the trial. He felt that he and his family were targets of insults, curses, and extraordinary pressure from various parties.

1. Yudha Despair and Frustration

Yudha at the trial of the Dante case © KapanLagi.com/Muhammad Akrom Sukarya

This condition often makes him feel despair and frustration. The various accusations directed at him feel so heavy that it seems there is no room to provide a defense. He feels that his rights as a defendant are neglected, as if he has already been declared guilty since the beginning of the examination without being given a chance to provide reasons or explanations.

"For me, while within the reach of the honorable panel of judges, the patient prosecutor, and the legal counsel, I have respect. Amidst the insults and extraordinary pressure from all parties against me and my family during this examination and trial, it often brings me into despair and frustration. Various accusations have been leveled against me. It feels like there is not even a little room to present a defense," said Yudha Arfandi during the trial.

"Even a single word is no longer deemed appropriate to be considered true, viewed from a defendant like me. I am nearly losing my rights as a defendant to receive an objective examination, considered guilty from the very beginning of the examination, and it must be so heavy without any consideration of reasons from me as the defendant," he continued.

2. Negative Public Perception

The mass media, according to Yudha, plays a role in shaping negative public perception towards him. He accuses the media of framing him and his family as perpetrators of heinous crimes. This, he says, affects public perception and may even influence the course of the trial. He continues that these accusations are not based on facts, but rather follow the interests of certain parties seeking popularity from the case he is facing.

"Following the will of certain parties, including those seeking popularity from the case I am facing. I do not understand how this could happen. Since the beginning of my questioning in this matter, various accusations have been spread in the media and society as if I am a terrifying monster," he said.

In his defense statement, Yudha firmly denies the accusation that he committed sadistic acts against the victim. He also denies the accusation that he exploited the victim's child to commit violence, or that he planned repeated violence.

"I have been accused of sadistically committing heinous acts against the victim. Even I was accused of borrowing a hand from the victim's child. I was also accused of planning repeated violence against someone," he said.

The accusation that he accessed CCTV before the incident and harbored a grudge because he was not approved in his relationship with the victim's family was also denied. According to Yudha, all these accusations are untrue and are intended to shape public opinion against him.

"I was also accused of planning repeated violence against someone. Searching and accessing CCTV before the incident, as well as having a grudge against the victim's family because of the disapproval and the failed marriage. All these accusations are false," Yudha said, while crying.

3. Denying No Regrets

Yudha at the trial of the Dante case © KapanLagi.com/Muhammad Akrom Sukarya

Yudha also touched on the statement from the public prosecutor (JPU) which mentioned that he did not show any remorse. He denied this, asserting that throughout the trial he had repeatedly expressed his regret and guilt. However, he believed that this statement may not have been heard or acknowledged by the JPU.

"The public prosecutor may have forgotten or not listened carefully to my statements of regret and guilt when I was examined in this courtroom. It hurts to be reminded of the events involving the victim's child in this case," he said.

Finally, Yudha emphasized that he has never committed premeditated murder or violence against the victim's child, as alleged. On the contrary, he said, he has always protected, cared for, and loved the victim's child. The accusations against him, he stated, are not based on truth.

"I am accused of doing something I have never done. The accusation of premeditated murder and violence against the victim's child is false. In fact, I have always given more attention to the victim's child, always protecting, teaching, caring for, and even loving the victim's child," he concluded.

(kpl/far/phi)