Bali police claim slain officer 'left to die' on Kuta beach after being bashed with bottle
A Bali police officer was allegedly bashed with a mobile phone and a broken bottle, before being left to die alone on Kuta beach, local police have claimed.
The ex-husband of Sara Connor, the Australian mother accused of participating in the murder of a Bali policeman, was due to front the media on Wednesday, while she awaits her fate in Indonesia.
However 7 News understands the family has since cancelled the press conference, following advice from the Australian Government.
Ms Connor and her British boyfriend David Taylor have faced days of interrogation after they were arrested over the death of Wayan Sudarsa, whose bloodied body was found on Kuta Beach in the early hours of Wednesday last week.
Her ex-husband Anthony "Twig" Connor, who is the father of her two sons, aged nine and 11, will make a statement on behalf of the family in Sydney on Wednesday.
Boyfriend of Australian woman admits to hitting slain Bali policeman: lawyer
Ms Connor is expected to face a charge of participating in a murder after Mr Taylor allegedly admitted to hitting Mr Sudarsa with a handphone, binoculars and a beer bottle.
Speaking outside Denpasar Police Station on Tuesday, the district's police chief Hadi Purnomo said they now believe Mr Taylor's first account was "a lie".
Fairfax reports the Denpasar police chief claimed the British DJ went on a rampage on the night Mr Sudarsa was killed.
Mr Taylor initially claimed he was bitten while trying to help a man lying in the sand.
The couple was declared suspects when Mr Sudarsa's body was found with 42 wounds on Kuta beach on August 17.
Ms Connor’s lawyers reportedly hope it will be found she played a lesser role in the death.
Police have said the couple could face second-degree murder and assault charges, which carry a 15-year maximum prison term.
"In court we will try to prove that [Sara] played a minor role. As per our client statement, she did nothing that directly caused the death of the victim,” Connor’s lawyer Robert Khuana told Fairfax.
Despite this Mr Purnomo maintained: “She did help commit the murder, she was involved."
The police chief has said no potential charges would be dropped, however aiding or abetting roles would be added.
Purnomo alleged Mr Taylor had accused the officer of being a bogus cop and tried to search him for a missing bag.
It's claimed Taylor said to Sudarsa: “You are a bogus cop. Where's my bag? Where's my bag? F*** you bastard police.”
"David searched him, and as a police officer being searched by a member of the community, the officer was offended. So he pushed David," Mr Purnomo said.
It’s alleged during a struggle between Taylor and Mr Sudarsa, Connor was bitten on the arm and leg.
It’s also alleged Mr Sudarsa was hit twice with a mobile phone and then smashed in the head repeatedly with a bottle, suffering 17 wounds to the head.
Mr Taylor also allegedly beat Mr Sudarsa with a pair of binoculars.
During separate questioning, Ms Connor claimed she saw Mr Sudarsa lying face-down on the beach and when she approached to ask whether he had seen her bag, the victim bit her on the leg, according to lawyer Erwin Siregar.
He said that she maintained her innocence.
On Monday, Siregar said Ms Connor was “not involved in this case, not at all. She’s innocent”.
Police allege Connor took the officer’s wallet and mobile phone and had planned to burn evidence after she learned both she and Taylor were wanted in connection to the murder.
Bali, a pocket of Hinduism in Muslim-majority Indonesia, is a popular tourist destination known for its tropical climate and palm-fringed beaches.
Petty crime is common but murders are rare.
