Wife could face death penalty
The Perth-based sons of a man murdered in Bali arrived on the island yesterday as police revealed their mother, who allegedly ordered the killing, could face the death penalty.
Noer Ellis remains in police custody after allegedly confessing to arranging hit men to kill her husband, British-Australian expatriate Robert Kevin Ellis, whose body was found wrapped in plastic and dumped in a ditch in a rice field this week.
Police said Mr Ellis was set upon in the kitchen of the couple's villa in Sanur by five killers who slashed his throat.
Police will allege Mrs Ellis paid her maid's boyfriend $14,000 to kill Mr Ellis, most of it to be paid after the crime.
Police spokesman Hery Wiyanto said the pair and a second maid would also be charged.
He said two charges were being weighed up - murder, carrying up to 15 years jail, and premeditated murder, which carries a maximum penalty of death.
Four others were still wanted for involvement in the crime.
"Some have fled Bali and some are still hiding in Bali," Mr Hery said. "We urge them to surrender.
"Wherever they are, we will hunt them down."
The couple's sons, Jon, 23, and Peter, 19, arrived in Bali yesterday and were still coming to terms with the tragedy, according to long-time family friend Ross Taylor.
Mr Taylor, president of the Indonesia Institute, said the sons were yet to decide whether to visit their mother in custody.
"There needs to be a discussion as to where they proceed from here," Mr Taylor said.
"There are issues regarding meeting their mother, how that will be dealt with, and it's extremely complex and emotionally charged."
Their uncle, Mr Ellis' brother, was in Bali providing support.
The brothers, who went to Wesley College and studied at Edith Cowan University, released a statement on Wednesday. It said they were devastated by their father's death.
"Dad has been such a vital part of our lives," they said.
Mr Taylor said business and financial concerns had led to "tension" between Mr Ellis and his wife in the past year.
He said Mr Ellis was a successful, well-liked businessman who had lived in Indonesia for many years.
