Judge Sentences Death to Accused of Murdering One Family in Indramayu

The defendant in the case of the murder of five people in one family on behalf of Ririn Rifanto (center) during the trial of the verdict at the PN Indramayu, West Java, Wednesday (8/7/2026). ANTARA/Fathnur Rohman.

JAKARTA - The Indramayu District Court, West Java, sentenced Ririn Rifanto to death with a 10-year probationary period for the premeditated murder of five people in one family in Indramayu Regency.

The Head of the Indramayu District Court's Panel of Judges, Wimmy D. Simarmata, stated that the defendant was proven to have legally and convincingly committed premeditated murder and committed violence against a child that resulted in death.

"Therefore, the defendant is sentenced to death with a probationary period of 10 years," he said when reading the verdict at the PN Indramayu, Wednesday, July 8, as reported by ANTARA.

The judge also stated that the death penalty could be changed to life imprisonment through a Presidential Decree after receiving consideration from the Supreme Court if the defendant showed commendable behavior and actions during the trial.

In its legal consideration, the panel of judges stated that the premeditated murder, mainly against children, was an extraordinary crime that required firm and effective law enforcement.

"The premeditated murder is qualified as an extraordinary crime, graviora delictadansuper mala in se," he said.

Judge Wimmy stated that the death penalty is not merely a form of retaliation, but also aims to protect the community through general prevention and special prevention.

He emphasized that the verdict was given based on the facts of the trial and valid evidence, not because of sympathy or narratives that were not supported by proof.

"The law does not judge a person based on the most touching story, but based on convincing facts," he said.

The panel of judges stated that the aggravating circumstances, among others, the defendant's actions disturbed the community, caused deep grief to the victim's family, there was no peace, the defendant was dishonest, and did not regret his actions.

He said there were no mitigating circumstances for the defendant so that all considerations led to the imposition of the heaviest penalty.

The defendant was also found to have violated Article 459 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code jo Article 20 letter c of the Criminal Code and Article 80 paragraph (3) of Law Number 35 of 2014 concerning Child Protection jo Law Number 1 of 2026 concerning Criminal Adjustment.

Previously, the public prosecutor of the Indramayu District Attorney's Office also demanded RirinRifanto with the death penalty because he was considered to have been proven to have committed premeditated murder and also committed violence against children which resulted in death.

The case began with the murder of five people in one family in Paoman Village, Indramayu Regency, in August 2025.

The victims of the murder consisted of Sahroni (75), Budi (45), Euis (40), RK (7), and an eight-month-old baby.

By Fathnur Rohman