Two jailed for Bali expat murder

Published:  6 Jul at 3 PM
Want to get involved? Become a Featured Expat and take our interview.
Become a Local Expert and contribute articles.
Get in touch today!
Tagged: Australia
Two men who fled Bali have received 15-year jail sentences for killing Australian businessman Robert Ellis after being convicted of premeditated murder.

Martin Ngongo Bili and Adolf Malo Rangga were handed 15 years in prison for the role they played in the killing of the 60-yrar-old expat. However, the defence reacted angrily after the pair received longer sentences than the victim’s wife, who organised the murder.

Noor Ellis, who had been married to the wealthy businessman for 25 years, was jailed for 12 years in June for paying five men to break into their plush villa and kill her husband, which they did by slashing his throat before two domestic helpers cleaned up the mess after receiving orders from Mrs Ellis. Ellis’s family condemned the ruling, but the prosecution will not appeal.

Rangga, meanwhile, made his feelings clear to the judge at Denpasar District Court, demanding to know why they received harsher punishments than Mrs Ellis.

Chief Judge Ahmad Peten Sili told him that he killed a man, and a planned killing should be punished with death, adding that he should be grateful.
Bili, who was crying after the ruling was announced, stayed quiet but the pair’s lawyer, Hari Purwanto, revealed that they were considering appealing.

Rangga and Bili were the final two of the five to be arrested after eventually being located on the island of Sumba.

Indonesian police said that Martin arranged the hit by recruiting the other killers, negotiating fees and outlining the strategy. Rangga, meanwhile, was said to have held Mr Ellis on the kitchen floor while another of the killers slit his throat. His corpse was later found concealed in plastic rapping in a rice field.

Mrs Ellis confessed to her involvement, alleging that her husband had been unfaithful; however, friends of the victim said that it was the other way round.
Like this news?

Comments » No published comments just yet for this article...

Feel free to have your say on this item. Go on... be the first!

Tell us Your Thoughts On This Piece:

Your Name *
Email * (not published, needs verification one time only)
Website
Type:
  • Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • RSS feed
  • Facebook

Latest Headlines

News Links

News Archive