Ronald Tannur Claims He Never Asked for Acquittal in Dina Sera Afrianti Murder Case

JAKARTA KOMPAS — The convict in the murder case of Dini Sera Afrianti, Gregorius Ronald Tannur, claimed that he was never informed of the trial results indicating that he would be acquitted by the panel of judges at the Surabaya District Court. He also stated that he never requested an acquittal in the murder case. Nevertheless, Ronald expressed remorse for causing grief to his parents and stirring up public uproar on social media.

The statement was delivered by Ronald while testifying as a witness in the continued trial of the alleged bribery case involving the handling of Ronald Tannur's case, with defendants Erintuah Damanik, Mangapul, and Heru Hanindyo at the Jakarta Corruption Court, Tuesday (25/2/2025).

In the trial presided over by Chief Judge Teguh Santoso, the public prosecutor also presented another witness, namely Ronald Tannur's lawyer, Lisa Rachmat. Ronald was extensively questioned and asked for confirmation regarding his conversations with Lisa Rachmat.

"BAP (examination report) number 21, did Lisa Rachmat ever convey to you that you would be acquitted in relation to the criminal case you previously explained?" asked the prosecutor.

Ronald admitted that he had once been informed by Lisa Rachmat that he should be free from the charges of the public prosecutor. This statement was conveyed by Lisa during her visit to the Surabaya Metropolitan Police Headquarters and prior to the defendant's examination at the Surabaya District Court.

However, Ronald denied that the statement was information about the results of the trial that he would definitely be acquitted. Because, Lisa explained, he should not have been charged with murder because he never ran over Dini, causing her death.

"That at the time I do not remember, when Lisa Rachmat came to me at the Surabaya Police Headquarters, I was told by Lisa Rachmat that I should be free because I did not run over Dini Sera Afrianti because there was also a car that ran over Dini Sera Afrianti and the same thing was also conveyed to me before the defendant's examination at the Surabaya District Court trial. This is your statement, huh?" asked the prosecutor again.

"That's right, but that doesn't mean I was told the results of the trial, I should have been acquitted, that is, I should not have been charged with murder," answered Ronald.

The prosecutor also asked about Ronald's communication with Lisa when the prosecutor filed an appeal to the Supreme Court against the acquittal verdict.

According to Ronald, Lisa only asked him to stay calm at home after being acquitted by the Surabaya District Court. Ronald said, Lisa communicated more with her mother, Meirizka Widjaja.

"However, I was once advised by one of Mrs. Lisa's (team members) to stay calm at home," he said.

Not only that, Ronald Tannur also admitted that he never asked for an acquittal when communicating with Lisa. This was conveyed by Ronald when answering a question from one of the defendant Erintuah's attorneys, Philipus Sitepu.

"When you met Mrs. Lisa, did you ever ask for your release?" asked Philipus Sitepu.

“Never, sir,” replied Ronald.

Philipus Sitepu asked Ronald Tannur about it again. However, Ronald again answered that he had never asked or discussed the acquittal verdict with Lisa Rachmat.

However, Ronald admitted to feeling guilty for making his parents sad and causing a stir among netizens on social media. "Because I have troubled my parents, made my parents sad, and continued to cause a stir among Indonesian netizens," he said.

Regarding Ronald's statement, Erintuah, Mangapul, and Heru admitted that they had no objections at all. Ronald's statement was considered true by them.