Family Outraged as Bali Court Hands Down "Light" Sentence for Murder Conviction

A murder verdict handed down by Denpasar District Court has sparked angry protests from the victim's family, who called the sentence a "joke" and accused the judicial system of failing to deliver justice. The case highlights ongoing concerns about crime involving foreign nationals in Bali.

On March 9, 2026, judges sentenced Australian national Darcy Francesco Jenson (27) to 12 years in prison for his role in the shooting death of fellow Australian Zivan Radmanovic and the serious wounding of Sanar Ghamin. The verdict, presided over by Judge I Wayan Suarta, fell significantly short of the 17-year sentence prosecutors had requested.

Victim's Family Condemns Leniency

Renata Deegan, the mother-in-law of the deceased victim, expressed her devastation immediately after the verdict was read. Speaking with emotion, she questioned the adequacy of the punishment for taking a human life.

"This is a joke, this court is a joke, Bali is a joke. Another murder recently. You can come here, kill someone, and get away with it," Deegan said outside the courtroom.

Deegan was equally critical of the sentences handed to the two other defendants convicted in the case. Mevlut Coskun (22) and Paea Imiddlemore Tupou (26), who acted as the primary shooters, received 16-year sentences—a result Deegan characterized as grossly insufficient given the severity of the crime.

The family's anger was evident in the courtroom, where relatives of the victim hurled curses at Jenson as the verdict was announced. Jenson remained visibly unmoved by the outbursts and was quickly escorted from the courtroom by court officials.

Prosecutors May Face Appeal

Deegan called on state prosecutors to appeal the decision, expressing hope that a higher court might impose more substantial penalties. The significant gap between the prosecution's request and the court's decision has raised questions about sentencing practices in Bali's judicial system.

"Today is very unfair. I lost my son-in-law, and they got 16 years and 12 years or whatever, how can that be right? This is unfair," Deegan said, visibly distraught.

The Incident and Investigation

The fatal shooting occurred on June 14, 2025, in Munggu Village, Badung Regency. Police arrested all three defendants at different locations following the incident. Jenson was convicted of assisting in the premeditated murder, while Coskun and Tupou were found guilty of carrying out the shooting.

Concerns About Safety and Justice

The case reflects growing concerns among residents and visitors about violent crime in Bali, particularly incidents involving foreign nationals. The family's public criticism of the court's leniency underscores frustrations about whether Bali's judicial system adequately protects victims and delivers proportionate justice for serious crimes.

This report is based on information originally published by Kompas.com as reported by Bali Discovery.